## The
## Grove Centre Church
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Registered as Charity No. 1129070. 2 Jews Walk, Sydenham, London SE26 6PL Website: www.thegrovecentre.org.uk
|Inspired by the life, teaching, and example of Jesus, we aim to share God’s|
|---|
|transforming love with a wider community, where all can belong and flourish.|
|1.
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**........................................................................................ 3**|
|1.1
INTRODUCTION**............................................................................................................. 3**|
|1.2
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**................................................................................... 3**|
|PUBLICBENEFIT.......................................................................................................................... 3|
|OURPURPOSE ANDBELIEFS....................................................................................................... 3|
|CHURCHACTIVITIES................................................................................................................... 4|
|GROVECENTREACTIVITIES........................................................................................................ 5|
|BUILDING FOR THEFUTUREPROJECT......................................................................................... 5|
|ORGAN(PIANO) FUND.............................................................................................................. 9|
|AFFILIATION ANDRELATIONSHIPS............................................................................................. 9|
|1.3
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**................................................................... 9**|
|REVIEW OF THEYEAR– GROVECENTRECHURCH...................................................................... 9|
|REVIEW OF THEYEAR– GROVECENTRE................................................................................... 11|
|ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THEYEAR.......................................................................................... 13|
|AGEINGWELL INLEWISHAMANNUALREPORT...................................................................... 14|
|DULWICHDOGSCHOOLANNUALREPORT.............................................................................. 17|
|SYDENHAMPOLICEWARDPANEL........................................................................................... 17|
|GROVEBOARDGAMERS............................................................................................................. 17|
|HARTBEEPSCHILDREN’SSENSORYGROUP.............................................................................. 18|
|JUNIORCHURCHANNUALREPORT......................................................................................... 18|
|GROVECENTRECHURCHMUSICGROUP.................................................................................. 19|
|GIGGLESHOLIDAYACTIVITYANNUALREPORT....................................................................... 20|
|9TH SYDENHAMBEAVERS, CUBS ANDSCOUTSANNUALREPORT........................................... 20|
|STEPTUESDAY.......................................................................................................................... 21|
|OSTEOPATH– MARGARETOHUCHE......................................................................................... 21|
|ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.......................................................................................................... 22|
|1.4
FINANCIAL REVIEW**.................................................................................................... 23**|
|TREASURER’SREPORT.............................................................................................................. 23|
|GROVECENTREFINANCIALREPORT......................................................................................... 24|
|ACCOUNTINGSTANDARDS....................................................................................................... 25|
|RESERVESPOLICY...................................................................................................................... 26|
|1.5
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**........................................... 26**|
|1.6
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**.................................................... 27**|
|2.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31STMARCH|
|2025**............................................................................................................................................. 28**|
|3.
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31STMARCH 2025**............................................................. 29**|
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|4.|NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR|
|---|---|
|ENDED 31STMARCH 2025**..................................................................................................... 30**||
|1.|ACCOUNTING POLICIES**................................................................................................ 30**|
|2.|INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS NOTES**...................................................................... 32**|
|3.|EXPENDITURE NOTES**.................................................................................................... 33**|
|4.|BALANCE SHEET NOTES**................................................................................................ 34**|
|5|DEBTORS........................................................................................................................... 34|
|6|CURRENTASSETINVESTMENTS......................................................................................... 34|
|7|BANK AND CASH BALANCES............................................................................................... 35|
|8|CREDITORS........................................................................................................................ 35|
|9.|ENDOWMENT FUNDS**.................................................................................................... 35**|
|10.|RESTRICTED FUNDS**.................................................................................................... 36**|
|11.|DESIGNATED FUNDS**.................................................................................................. 39**|
|12.|UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**............................................................................................. 42**|
|13.|DISCLOSURE OF TRUSTEE AND STAFF REMUNERATION, RELATED PARTY|
|AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS**............................................................................................. 44**||
|14.|RELATED CHARITIES**.................................................................................................. 44**|
|15.|PENSIONS**...................................................................................................................... 44**|
|TREASURER'S STATEMENT**.................................................................................................. 46**||
|INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE GROVE||
|CENTRE CHURCH**..................................................................................................................... 46**||
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## 1. TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
## 1.1 Introduction
The Grove Centre Church is a multi-ethnic congregation worshipping in the Baptist and United Reformed (URC) traditions and sustaining a broad range of community activities for all ages through the Grove Centre – “a place for people”. Inspired by the life, teaching, and example of Jesus, we aim to share God’s transforming love with a wider community, where all can belong and flourish.
Within this report you will find a summary of our objects and activities in meeting our charitable aims and our core focus in both the short and longer terms.
Alongside our trustee annual report and accounts, we present additional reports from our Grove Centre Management Steering Committee, Church groups and various community and user groups of the Grove Centre. We hope this gives a flavour of the wide variety of uses to which our buildings are put and of the community of which we are a part.
## 1.2 Objectives and Activities
## Public Benefit
The activities conducted by the Church and through the Grove Centre as set out below are open to a wide public. Worship and some events are open to all. Other are aimed at specific groups or age ranges, with a wide variety of regular user groups and occasional bookings.
Collectively these activities contribute to the spiritual, moral, emotional or physical wellbeing of children from babes in arms through nursery and school years, adults at all stages with a variety of health needs and interests, and elderly people receiving social opportunities, care and nourishing lunches. The Church and Minister provide and encourage pastoral care and inclusion in a dynamic and open community that aims to be a servant of all who visit us.
The trustees have reviewed the Charity Commission guidance and are satisfied that our activities clearly demonstrate the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
## Our Purpose and Beliefs
The Constitution for the Grove Centre Church states that the principal purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist and URC denominations. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and /or other parts of the world.
In common with the United Reformed Church, we confess the catholic faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and believe that, in the ministry of the Word, through preaching and the
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study of scriptures, God makes known in each age God’s saving love, will for all people, and purpose for the world.
In common with the Baptist Union’s declaration of principle, we believe that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures and by the Holy Spirit in our common life.
Our beliefs are further expressed through our Values:
- God calls us together to be “a worshipping people” honouring our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
- We aspire to be “a faithful people”, true to Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture, through our common life and in our personal lives, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- We aim to be “a welcoming people”, a church where all people are welcome, regardless of age, creed, colour, race, sexuality, ability or status.
- We need to be “a growing people” , open to change, nurturing the hope, faith and love involved in growth towards spiritual maturity, and through our lives and words drawing new people of all ages into saving faith and fellowship in Christ.
- We aim to be “a caring people” , who seek to understand and serve our needs and those of our local community and the wider world as laid upon us by the Holy Spirit.
- As a means of showing God’s love in action and in partnership with others, we intend to sustain The Grove Centre as “a place for people” at the heart of the wider community in which we are set.
## Church Activities
We engage in a range of activities as a Church and through the work of The Grove Centre:
- Regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching;
- Infant Dedication and Believers Baptism, Baptism of infants and Confirmation;
- The Communion of the Lord’s Supper, usually twice each month;
- The teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of young people;
- Nurture and growth of Christian disciples;
- Education and training for Christian and community service;
- Giving and encouraging pastoral care;
- Encouraging relationships with and supporting the work of both our denominations, other Christians and the wider community.
The church holds in-person worship services and provides a Zoom login for those unable to attend in person to join the services. A newsletter is produced each month to inform, occasionally challenge, and encourage participation in the ministry and mission of the church.
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## Grove Centre Activities
The Grove Centre also fulfils an overall goal of supporting and encouraging charitable social action, through sustaining a ‘place for people’ where all are welcomed. This includes:
- Continuing to celebrate and maintain the number and diversity of user groups;
- Working with others to provide positive opportunities for older people to remain active and engaged for longer, through the Church and Centre;
- Continuing to grow the number of people using the Lunch service, its links with other users of the Centre, and related social interactions;
- Maintaining our premises to a high standard as a safe, welcoming, accessible and attractive venue for a wide range of uses and local hires for parties and events;
- A range of social and fund-raising events
each year for Church members and friends and the wider community;
- Working closely with our various user groups to assist them in promoting both their activities and the Grove Centre as a community resource.
- Facilitating local services through the Cherish Nursery operating within our premises.
- Delivering on the commitments made within our funding agreement with Lewisham Council to connect with other partners to expand the range of services for elderly and vulnerable adults within our local community.
## Building for the Future Project
The potential to develop House Hall was first mentioned in the 2009-10 Annual Report stating the Church’s aim “In the long term” … “To build an extension to House Hall, improve access for people with pushchairs and mobility impaired users and develop a toilet for people with mobility impairment.” By the 2013-14 Annual Report this had been updated to state our aim as: “In the long term:-“ …. “To build an extension to House Hall, joining our buildings together, to improve accessibility and the appearance of the Church and Centre being one place”.
We can now report that the first part of this has been completed, and we have additional funds to install a canopy between the buildings to fulfil the entire vision.
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Work started in Autumn 2023, and we gained partial occupation of the House on 8[th] June 2024, the day before the Church’s 50[th] Anniversary Celebration. However, “practical completion” was not obtained for a number of months after this.
Throughout the year we awaited the outcome of a grant application from City Bridge Foundation and continued to fund raise to pay for the lift installation. In March 2025 we had the welcome news that we had been awarded a significant g rant from City Bridge of £99,460 to fund the lift, relay the drive and car park, and install a covered link between our buildings.
Our ever-helpful builders returned immediately in March and prepared the floor openings to enable the lift installation, and the order for the lift was finalised. While technically not in this year’s reporting timescale we can report it was installed and operational by 7[th] April 2025. Work will continue this year to complete the final two pieces of work.
We have approximately £9,000 left in the Building Fund. We still
have issues with the garden door to resolve, drapes for the windows in the downstairs hall, signage, an AV monitor for the first floor meeting room and the potential for a dividing screen to be installed, which would make the downstairs space even more flexible.
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The project addressed numerous issues for which we had not budgeted or included in the scheme:
- Replacing all the radiators, giving us a totally new heating system
- Insulating the ceiling in the rear office, improving energy efficiency and comfort
- Levelling the floor in the first floor meeting room and removing the concrete slab forming the base of the old first floor fireplace (identified as dangerous)
- Running a new gas main through the building and stopping the ongoing monthly standing charges on a redundant meter
- Revealing and refurbishing the original shutters to one of the downstairs windows
- Relaying the garden hardstanding area
- Completely recompacting the ground between the Church and the dividing wall
- Fitting shelving in the cupboards to meet user needs
- Preparation for the lift and installing temporary floors while awaiting additional funds
We have been very grateful for the support and help of Goodsell & Son Ltd our builders, and the professional team. The involvement of Brian Richardson and Revd Louise Polhill at site meetings provided valuable support and the small committee of volunteers to discuss and help make final decisions on certain aspects has been of great help to me. Alongside this, Paul Treece’s management of the funds and payment of the bills has ensured we remained on good terms with all the employed team.
We must also recognise the support of the various bodies who provided us with grants. Without their support this project would not have happened. See below in “ Finance and Funding Update ”
The project, which was needed due to the complete lack of accessibility and poor quality of our facilities, was initiated by our previous minister, Revd Brenda Morton. She identified the potential benefit of relocating the Manse much closer to the Church, and buying a more suitable property, which would release a sizable chunk of money to support the project. While this has been realised it did result in a lot of work and time in obtaining the agreement of both the Baptist Union and the United Reformed Churches on how Baptist funds could be given to a project on a URC owned building.
In addition, each time we felt we were making progress either planning decisions or world events pushed
it further away. However, we finally managed to raise sufficient funds and get the project underway, despite the Ukraine war pushing up costs requiring redrafting of plans and amended planning and listed building consents, to ensure the project remained within budget.
The appearance of our building is now amazing, and the transformation internally has resulted in many great comments. The challenge now for the Church is to ensure the programme is rebuilt and continues to be an excellent and welcoming “place for people”.
I am sure there will be one final report in 2026 on the two remaining pieces of work, but for now I believe we can say the “long term” aim has been achieved.
Ian Warren, Building Project Manager
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Finance and Funding Update - Building for the Future Project
Individual donations of £17,982 (including gift aid recoveries) were received towards the completion of the project during the year (prior year £31,955 plus £13,000 legacy). Funds in our accounts with the Baptist Union Corporation and Nationwide Building Society earned a further £1,244 in interest (prior year £4,774).
Local fund raising raised £1,692 during the year (prior year £2,641). This came from:
|Table Sale June 2024 - £557.60|Table Sale Nov 2024 - £934.05|
|---|---|
|Crockery Gift May 2024 - £200.00||
Thank you to everyone who led or participated in the fund raising over the year.
Major expenses of £399,207 were incurred for the main contract with Goodsell Ltd, plus £10,608 for drain repairs, £6,743 for kitchen appliances and other costs and £7,933 for architects and various other fees. Total expenditure in the year was £424,491.
The remaining work on the main contract with Goodsell Ltd is expected to cost £54,617 including VAT to complete the Phase 1 works in 2025 and release the retention in January 2026. There was £64,536 remaining in the Building Fund (Designated) at year end, so £9,919 was
available towards other costs incurred outside the main contract in the year ahead.
A total of £423,213 was capitalised as work in progress and then written down to £230,000 as an interim insurance valuation after transfer into the Endowment Fund which owns the premises. Building funds raised and grants awarded/received
We are very grateful to the following organisations who graciously supported us with grants or other funds for the building project, most of which were payable against expenses incurred:
- Baptist Union Corporation Limited agreed to a capital contribution of £191,072 from the funds raised originally in 2013 through the sale and then re-purchase of the Baptist manse. This will be received by transfer from Endowment funds in the 24/25 year.
- The United Reformed Church (Southern Synod) Trust Ltd, who matched the value of the Baptist contribution, before additional interest was added, with two grants totalling £185,539. Of this £112,430.31 was claimed in 23/24, leaving £73,108.69 in 24/25.
- Garfield Weston Foundation - £30,000 grant claimed against expenses in 24/25.
- Benefact Trust - £23,000 grant received in 23/24.
- M&G Trust - £3,000 grant received in 23/24 and an additional £800 in 24/25.
- Squire Patton Trust - £250 grant received in 23/24.
- City Bridge Foundation - £2,625, specifically for an access audit, which was duly completed.
- • Hobson Charity - £10,000 grant claimed against expenses in 24/25.
A further £99,470 grant was awarded by City Bridge Foundation in March 2025 and is expected to be received as project expenditure for Phase 2 work is reclaimed from the grant funder. This enabled the Gartec lift deposit of £19,218 to be paid just before year end. The lift was installed on 7[th] April 2025, so the deposit is recognised as a pre-payment in these accounts.
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## Organ (Piano) Fund
In March/April 2024 the church raised funds to purchase a new piano suitable for the Main Hall, installed before for the 50[th] anniversary celebration of the opening of The Grove Centre. After considering different options a Kawai K800 model was purchased. This is capitalised within the Organ Fund (Restricted) which was used to receive donations for the new instrument.
## Affiliation and Relationships
The Grove Centre Church is in membership with the Baptist
Union of Great Britain (Baptist Union), the London Baptist Association and The United Reformed Church within the Southern Synod. We support and advance the work of our parent denominations through prayer, through financial contributions and through the participation of Church members. We are also pleased to support local Baptist, URC and ecumenical gatherings including Churches Together.
## 1.3 Achievements and Performance
## Review of the Year – Grove Centre Church
We can look back with thankfulness for our fully functional refurbished House, but the journey to completion has not always been smooth. There were several unforeseen snags, and we are grateful for the resourcefulness of our builders in overcoming these.
On 8[th] June we held a Celebration for the 50[th] Anniversary of the opening of our Main Building. Joanna Morling preached at our Service of Thanksgiving. Jo was a member of the Grove Centre Youth Group during the 1970s and 1980s and was present in 1974 for the opening of the Sydenham United Free Church, now known as The Grove Centre Church. She is a URC Lay Preacher in Somerset and a trustee of the Iona Community. Her theme was – where is “home” for us?
Music has always been at the heart of our Sunday Worship, and our pianist, Brian, (and other members of the congregation) became increasingly concerned that the piano we had been using was suitable for a living room but not for a church setting, even with amplification. An appeal sent out with invitations to the 50th anniversary raised over £11k in gifts from members and friends of the church towards a new piano. A new large upright Kawai K800 piano arrived in time for the Anniversary weekend.
The new piano has been appreciated by the congregation during Sunday worship. It was put to good use for a delightful recital by Emily Jennings (soprano) and Emily Hoh (piano). The concert was organised by the Befrienders Group (Ageing Well in Lewisham) in collaboration with SongEasel – an arts and education charity operating in SE London. Both musicians were very complimentary about our piano!
In last year’s Christian Aid Week service, we learned about Aline
Nibogora, in Burundi. Aline has experienced abuse and extreme poverty, but she has found ways to persist in faith, hope and love. Our collections raised £380.76 for Christian Aid’s work.
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In June Rev Louise Polhill (our minster since 2013) let us know – with a mixture of joy and sadness - that she sensed a call from God to move on to a new role as Pioneer Minister with The United Church in Hyde, Cheshire. Many Grove Centre Church members and friends assembled for Louise’s last service as our minister on Sunday 29[th] September.
This service included a “Release of Covenant”, where Louise and the
Church both declared that the covenants of support between us from Louise’s induction service in
2013 had been fulfilled and were released. We prayed for Louise and Alex as they move to Hyde. Four of us from The Grove Centre Church made the journey to Hyde on Saturday 26[th] October to support Louise’s induction.
As the church moved into a period of Ministerial vacancy, we felt the need to come together as a fellowship to support each other, to listen to God and to prepare our plans for the next ministry we will enable. There are various practical matters in leading the church, finding preachers, providing pastoral care and refurbishing the now empty manse. Our programme of services, events and outreach to the community must continue.
We celebrated Harvest on 13[th] October raising £373.64 for BMS World Mission, and we heard about their workers in Bangladesh and the Heart for the Gospel. Harvest offerings of goods were brought to be distributed by Lewisham Foodbank, likewise with the treats brought for our annual Christmas Gift service.
The Church Conference on 30[th] November was a key event to draw together our hopes and dreams for what The Grove Centre Church will be in the future, and what kind of ministry we should be seeking next. A rich variety of material resulted from this conference.
This was collated and used to inform our Church Profile – a document that gives prospective ministers their first opportunity to discover who we are as a church.
In March 2025 our Church Profile was added to the BTSP (Baptists Together Settlement Process) website, where it is accessible to accredited Baptist Ministers. We are also open to the possibility of appointing a URC Minister. A search committee has been set up to consider applications to be our new Minister.
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Several new groups have been set up within the church during this Ministerial Vacancy:
- Wayfinders: a Bible discovery group for secondary age young people
- Fixit team: Meets twice per month to mend, repair and improve our facilities
- Science and religion group: A new group forming to explore these areas
At our AGM in July, Ian Warren stood down from being Chair of Grove Centre Management. Ian had been involved in supporting and leading the management of The Grove Centre for over 30 years. The church recognised and celebrated Ian’s dedicated and faithful service, and his continuing outstanding work on the Building Project, in the service on 4[th] August.
Also at the AGM, we thanked Carole Eaton who stood down – again after over 30 years’ service in various roles supporting The Grove Centre Management Committee. Anne Neal was elected as the new Chair of Management Committee, with Alison Cutts as the new Grove Centre Financial Secretary.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find lay preachers to lead our Sunday Worship services, and we have been encouraged that many members of our Church have volunteered to plan and lead varied and creative services, especially around Christmas and Easter. We have very much appreciated services led by the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in December and March, and give thanks for them and their dedicated Akela, Julia Anstey. These services have been well attended by parents and carers.
We hope that our new Minister will help us to develop these gifts displayed by our Church members in the years that lie ahead.
Ian Bromley Church Secretary 2024/25
## Review of the Year – Grove Centre
This has been a year of great achievements and many changes. We have had lots of changes of personnel. We began the year with a new Administrator/Manager, who stayed with us for a few months, but then moved on. A team of volunteers, led by Ian Warren, our Chair of Management, helped us over the vacancy until Amanda Richardson was able to start in July. Amanda has quickly grown into her new role and is a great addition to our team.
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At the same time Ian decided to stand down as Chair of Management, and I was elected in June, alongside Alison Cutts, who has taken on finance. There has been a period of handover with Ian helpfully mentoring Amanda, Alison and I in our new roles. Louise, our minister then also left at the end of September.
Ian, however, has not stepped far back, but is continuing to offer his expertise with the buildings and all associated matters. He is working with the newly formed FIXIT team, who meet twice a month for maintenance, improvements and repairs. We are delighted that there are at least 7 regular contributors to this team. The Grove Centre provides many opportunities for volunteering, and it has been good to see increased participation of new volunteers for the FIXIT team, opening and closing for community events, and supporting our lunch service.
We began the year with all of our activities in the main hall, whilst the building works continued, and we thank all of our users for their tolerance and cooperation at this time, with special thanks to AA and Dulwich Dogs.
We celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Grove Centre in June. There was an enormous effort to transform us from a building site, with the builders finally completing their tasks at
midnight, but we were ready with an exhibition and drinks by the morning! Thanks to all who painted, polished, cleaned and tidied, and to those who organised them.
Our new building is nearly finished! We held a very successful open day in September for the community to come and see what we have achieved. We have had a lot of very good feedback, interest and support. Our aim of providing high quality but affordable and accessible community resource is well underway. We received a further grant which has enabled us to get the lift installed now making the first floor fully accessible. We are indebted to those individuals and organisations who have supported us in this project.
We have welcomed some new groups on a regular basis: Hartbeeps baby sensory groups, a second AA group, a craft group, a Saturday school and an osteopath. We are delighted that the Scouts have been able to return after a number of years away. It is a delight to see the centre well used by the community. Alongside this we continue to have many private bookings, including many children’s parties, and other celebrations. We have been sorry that IROK have been unable to secure funding to enable them to continue their work from our site, they have provided valuable support to vulnerable members of our community. We continue to stay in touch in the hope that they may be able to return.
We have been delighted to welcome Ageing Well who are now based with us. Their groups continue to thrive and provide opportunities for participation.
The numbers attending our lunch service increased during the spring of 2025, but we have the capacity to serve many more and are seeking ways to make our service better known.
We have some exciting plans for the coming year:
- We are hoping to set up a wildlife pond in May in association with Froglife, we are partnering with Cherish Day Nursery in this project.
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- We are planning to resurface the car park to make it safer and more accessible.
- We are planning to install a canopy to connect the house and the main building.
We are very grateful to Lewisham Council for their continued support through the partnership grant which has enabled us to respond to local needs.
I should like to extend my personal thanks to our employees Amanda, Tyrone, Richard and Yana, who ensure things are running smoothly, the building is ready for users and there is always delicious food available.
Anne Neal (and Ian Warren)
Chair of Grove Centre Management 2024/25
## Achievements during the Year
The achievements both of the Church and Centre, with the community we support, are highlighted in the various reports provided in our annual report. The principal achievements during 2024/25 were as follows:
- We continued to offer a vibrant and enriching act of worship each Sunday morning, and on other festival dates, continuing to use Zoom technology to enable participation for those unable to attend in person.
- We welcomed 4 people into membership of the Church.
- We continue a full programme of social and fundraising events, despite the disruption of major building work.
- Junior Church included a number of successful activities and Junior Church continued on Sunday mornings. Cubs and Beavers also led us in worship.
- Small group fellowship, prayer and Bible studies have explored a number of areas to develop a deeper understanding and expression of the Christian faith and life.
- Opportunities for older people to remain active and engaged for longer, both through the Church and the Centre, have continue to flourish and grow.
- The kitchen, serving the lunches, has the 4-star environmental health standard for quality and cleanliness, continuing the valuable service to the community in a friendly environment.
- • Through a Partnership Grant from the London Borough of Lewisham we continue to work with them to identify and meet local social priorities and needs of elderly and vulnerable adults within our community. This work continues through:
- Making our premises available as a place to enhance and enable community cohesion, with regular and occasional bookings and hirers,
- Enabling many organisations to meet to deliver much needed services,
- Working with a range of voluntary sector organisations to deliver services.
- We host the Blood Transfusion Service enabling regular blood donor sessions.
- Cherish Day Nursery continue to provide a valued service from our premises.
- We fund-raised for other charitable organisations that are dear to our hearts, including BMS World Mission, Lewisham Foodbank, Christian Aid and The Leprosy Mission.
- We continued major fund raising to achieve the development project to improvement the accessibility of our facilities, in particular House Hall, and raised £19,674 towards the project.
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## Community Organisations
The Grove Centre continues to host a wide range of services and activities.
- Christian worship in the traditions of the Baptist and United Reformed Churches
- Junior Church
- Bible Study/Prayer Group
- Monday Friendship Group
- Boardgame Sessions (Boardgamers)
- Community Lunches (Mon, Tue, Wed & Friday)
- Cherish Day Nursery (Monday - Friday)
- Giggles Holiday Activity Scheme
- • NHS Blood Donation
- 9th Sydenham Beavers. Cubs and Scouts
- Music Group
- Osteopath Margaret Ohuche
- The Dulwich Dog School
- Hartbeeps – Children’s Sensory group
- Step Tuesday
- Big Book Study (Thursday)
- The Befrienders singing group
- Arts & Craft Group (Tuesday)
- Fitness & Fun (gentle exercise)
- Community Craft Group (Wednesday)
## Ageing Well in Lewisham Annual Report
2025 marks the 25[th] Anniversary of the Ageing Well in Lewisham project (as well as our umbrella organisation, Lewisham Churches Care). As a charity, we aim to reduce isolation and enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of older people, regardless of faith or culture, through activities that encourage social interaction, mobility, and creativity. We are looking forward to hosting a big party at The Grove this autumn in honour of this milestone anniversary.
For over 13 years, the Grove Centre Church has generously provided Ageing Well in Lewisham with space to host our weekly social/ activity groups for people aged 60+. Last June, Lewisham Churches Care moved its office headquarters into the newly refurbished Grove Manor House. The changes to the building are fantastic! It has been a pleasure working with the Grove Centre’s new Administrator, Amanda Richardson, and our partnership with The Grove has grown even stronger.
A number of Ageing Well’s participants attend the Grove Centre’s lunches as well as other church-organised groups. The Grove is welcoming and supportive to all, and we are pleased to be a part of the happenings here.
All our groups have grown in attendance over the past year, and lovely new volunteers have joined as well. Here's a recap of some of the past year’s highlights.
## BEFRIENDERS (Tuesdays, 10 – 12 noon)
No experience required to join this lively, creative singing group-- just a willingness to try new things and have fun. We are very lucky to have our amazing session leader, Natasha, who has been with the group for about 13 years.
Over this past year, The Befrienders have engaged in rewarding collaborative projects with the local Venner Road Dementia Café and Sydenham High School GDST. The group sang at The Grove’s Christmas Lunch and for the Sydenham High Street Christmas tree lighting. The group has definite plans to continue their outreach sessions to different locales in the upcoming year, bringing joy and song out into the community.
So much of what The Befrienders group is about is empowering participants creatively. The group members are amazing ambassadors as well, showing others in the community how creativity can be accessible to all. One member shared, “This group is great for my mental health as it’s supportive, not just about getting your part right.”
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CRAFTS PLUS (Tuesdays, 1.00 – 3.00 pm)
This relaxing arts and crafts group offers fun, inspiring new projects every week. Participants have tried different painting and drawing techniques, collage, sculpture, and working with clay. Group members also contributed squares to a Downham Community Quilt, which will be displayed around the borough next year.
It’s a very supportive group as everyone appreciates each others’ unique perspectives. We hope even more people will join in the fun in the upcoming year. For some participants, our groups are the only opportunity they have of getting out and socialising. “Getting out always makes me feel brighter,” said one attendee.
FITNESS & FUN (Wednesdays, 10 -11:45 am)
It’s not all work in this popular group. Everyone has a lot of laughs while they enjoy seated routines to music. Our inspiring instructor tailors exercises to be accessible to a range of abilities. She also keeps attendees’ minds limber with fun word games. Participants also appreciate more targeted exercises for dexterity and muscle strength. “She really gets into specific muscles and why certain exercises are beneficial,” said one regular. “It’s really good to know, good for us!”
Ageing Well would like to sincerely thank the Grove Centre Church and the Grove Community Centre’s staff and trustees for the space and assistance given to us over the years. The welcoming space The Grove provides us allows us to offer exciting projects, events, and opportunities for older people. We would not achieve what we do without this partnership.
## Winnie Carlson
## Project Coordinator, Ageing Well in Lewisham
*Funding for Ageing Well’s Grove-based groups over 2024-25 came from Lewisham Council’s Main Grants Small Partnership Fund, the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy fund for the Sydenham ward, Lewisham Local’s Warm Welcomes fund, Merchant Taylors’ Foundation, Albert Hunt Foundation, Charles Hayward Foundation, McCarthy Stone Foundation, and The Cornerstone Church.
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## Friendship Group
Friendship Group continues to meet on Monday afternoons. We have about 16 regular members, but other folk do tend to drop from time to time and are always made welcome. The program is a mixture of quizzes, board games, talks by invited speakers, music, poetry, holiday photos from those fortunate to go to far flung places and watching the occasional DVD.
Daniella Nassar an award-winning composer, pianist, and cellist based in London has become a regular contributor playing a wide variety of music, much to our enormous delight. David Williams, the previous Grove Administrator, makes an annual visit to demonstrate his floral arranging skills.
We’ve also enjoyed seated exercise under the instruction of Anne Bagnall who has a class at the Grove on Wednesday mornings. Barbara Portwin, a retired teacher from Dulwich College, is a regular speaker on things historical and political.
So every week we enjoy something different which keeps both our brains and our bodies in (hopefully) good shape. Friendship is the key. We are there for each other in good times and bad. We celebrate birthdays and have a summer strawberry tea and a Christmas party. We gather at 1.15pm for tea and chat and aim to finish about 2.45pm. We pay £2.00 per session which covers our sundry items and gifts to speakers. We regularly make donations at Christmas to the Church
and various charities. We would like more members, so if you are interested, then do come along and join us. The program is on the notice board in the coffee bar in the Grove Centre or contact Dee Hammett 020 8650 7877 or Avril Sydee 020 8462 4604 for more information.
## Avril Sydee
## Cherish Nursery Annual Report
The Grove Centre Church continues to be a source of support for our community nursery. This ranges from organising a new shiny front door to providing hot lunches to the staff team! More recently, we have been excited to work with the Church in organising for a Pond to be created in the beautiful garden soon. This will provide many learning opportunities for the children as the pond develops over time. It will also add to the tranquil calm space that the Grove Centre has nurtured over the years.
The nursery continues to thrive, supported by word of mouth from the local community. Our cosy, home from home, setting is diverse and brings us joy in seeing different parts of the world come together and play. At the nursery, we create a positive culture which fosters a welcoming and supportive environment where children and staff feel valued. By embracing diversity, we create an inclusive environment that celebrates differences. Furthermore, and integral to our ethos, we encourage active learning providing stimulating learning environments with opportunities for exploration, creativity. And problem-solving. It is for these reasons the nursery continues to thrive, supported by word of mouth from the local community.
Bhavisha Tailor, Director Cherish Day Nursery & Heartwood Forest School Email: info@cherishdaynursery.com Website: www.cherishdaynursery.com
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## Dulwich Dog School Annual Report
Thank you again for the use of The Grove Centre Church Hall. It is so important that owners and their dogs have places to train, so that we have well behaved dogs in our community.
Some people do not realise how important it is to train their puppies or new dogs and leave it to luck, this could get them or their dogs into serious trouble. At Dulwich dog school, we are passionate about dog training and love helping people learn how to train their dogs. We like the whole family to come along and get involved, especially the younger members of the family, who are usually very good.
We have attached some photographs from the last foundation course, puppies and an adult dog who was rescued. The courses are for nine weeks, the first night being a talk night without the dogs.
We teach owners how to teach their dogs, loose lead walking, recall, wait / stay, leave, not jumping up, play, handling, and diet. Training is fun for owners and their dogs. Di Karn ( The Dulwich Dog School ) www.dulwichdogschool.co.uk
## Sydenham Police Ward Panel
The Sydenham Police Ward Panel consists of residents’ associations, tenants’ associations, neighbourhood watch groups, local councillors, and other agencies.
They meet 3 to 4 times a year with the Sydenham Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) Police Officers to discuss any issues and current concerns relating to Sydenham. We also look at crime/incidents statistics relevant to Sydenham, so that we can set Ward promises for the SNT to act on/investigate and report back to us at our next meeting. Additional meetings were held following the tragic event that occurred in Wells Park Road.
The Ward Panel members are extremely grateful that The Grove Centre can host this very important community meeting.
## Grove Boardgamers
Our board game group meets on the first Friday of each month from 6.30 – 9.30pm. It is open to anyone to come along and join in. We are a very inclusive group, with all ages from children to the elderly.
We play a range of games from classics to brand new games, from very simple to more complex strategy games. We have a range of board and card games and people bring along games they think the group might enjoy. The evening usually starts with games that work
for everyone playing together, before splitting into smaller groups to play a variety of games.
We have around 15 people enjoying friendship and fun together as well as drinks and snacks being shared. We are a friendly and welcoming group, why not come and come and join in.
Julia Anstey/Mel Wright/Paul Davis
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## Hartbeeps Children’s Sensory Group
We are using the House Hall on Wednesday mornings until 12:30pm for our music and sensory sessions. We run classes for newborns and babies up to around one years old.
The sessions have been so successful we are adding a toddler class and from after Easter Weekend we will be running sessions until 2pm.
Our sessions encourage bonding between parent and child and are rooted in the EYFS curriculum.
Maisie, on behalf of, Lotte Layzell
Tel: 07522 386334 www.hartbeeps.com
## Junior Church Annual Report
Junior Church starts at 10.30am as part of the adult church service. We then break out for our own activities, aiming to finish at the same time as the adult service. Currently we have a single mixed age group ranging from about age 6 to 13 years. We aim to explore and nurture Christian faith through participating in activities, stories, discussion, music, art, craftwork, and games. Along with the main church we practice a progressive Christian ethos. It is usual for parents to be attending the church service. We do need contact details and any relevant medical information first. We aim to provide a safe environment, in a hall, close to the church morning service. As a church we take our responsibilities for safeguarding seriously. Our safeguarding policies can be viewed on the website.
We are currently staffed by regular, experienced, trained leaders with support from other church members. We can cater for a range of children’s abilities and ages ranging from crèche through to secondary school ages. We use published resources including “Roots” which, like the main adult services, follows the Revised Common Lectionary.
Approximately once a month, instead of Junior Church, there is an “all age” church service.
## Changes during the year
We have continued to use the Church Coffee Lounge, although a couple of trial lessons have been had in the House Hall. At times the age range has extended down to age 2 and up to age 17.
## Visions for the coming year
We are looking to provide a dedicated teenage group on Sunday mornings. It is envisioned that we will return to the House Hall at some point, partly dependant on if the space can be subdivided to allow for a separate crèche.
## Staff
Our teaching team is Lisa Treece and Richard Neal. Our administrator is Richard Neal with support from Grace Harawa. We also have support on Sundays from Grace Harawa, Elizabeth Noon, Christine Lupton and Judith Warren.
## Example of a recent session
The story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey inspired us to consider other animals fit for a king. We then created a tiger, a cat, and a peacock from waste packaging. We also considered that King Charles might welcome such animals as the ant, the squirrel and the fox in his palace garden. The implicit message is that we are all, in our diversity, fit to serve Jesus as our king. We rounded of the session with a game of imitating all the animals we had considered in the session.
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## Teenagers
Teenagers, when present, are encouraged in discussion as well as the practical activities.
## Achievements
- There are the week by week achievements in seeing young people successfully learning and exploring together and reporting an enjoyable time, of letting young people see in the role models of the leaders an active and questioning Christian faith.
- Then there are the much longer term achievements of seeing those young people mature into adults, participating actively in many spheres, often continuing to express their faith in God, even more often taking up positive roles and careers helping to serve people and care for our planet.
## Wider activities
We have a range of activities through the year outside of Sunday services – including seasonal parties (such as the pancake part, with photos above), sessions in members’ houses and trips. This year a “Wayfinders” teenage group has started to meet on a weekday night. At this early stage it appears also to be encouraging more family attendance at Sunday services and teenage attendance at Junior Church.
## Invitation
If you would like your children to join us then either, just come with them to a church service at the Grove Centre Church, or contact us via the Grove Centre Office, www.thegrovecentre.org.uk Richard Neal
Junior Church Leader for The Grove Centre Church
## Grove Centre Church Music Group
We are a church that loves to sing!
We are a group of singers and musicians who aim is to enrich the life of the Church. Singing is good for body, mind and soul, we always leave our meetings feeling better than when we arrived. At the same time we share fellowship together and offer each other friendship and support. There is always laughter.
At our regular meetings we look at music that:
- reflects the community we serve, so may include music from many world communities
- reflects the issues affecting our members, the local and global communities, so may include songs of joy and celebration, pain and loss, reflection, social issues, the environment
- explores music we may have heard and want to share
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- looks ahead to the festivals, special services and the readings for the coming month.
We will often discuss whether a piece of music would enhance our worship and how best to use it. However, the choice of music for worship on a Sunday is made by the preacher.
We had been working for some time with a piano that was reaching the end of its life and no longer repairable, so as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations in June 24 we sought donations for a new piano. We were able to raise £11,500 and to purchase an excellent upright piano which is a joy, rather than a struggle to play and has enhanced our worship.
We value the skill of our instrumentalists, and appreciate the quality of the music provided on a weekly basis.
You are welcome to come and sing with us and you do not have to be able to read music. Anne Neal
## Giggles Holiday Activity Annual Report
Giggles have been working with Lewisham Council’s Healthy Activities and Food programme (HAF) for 3 years now. Their aim is to provide children with physical activities, have discussions about healthy choices and healthy foods and also to help support parents with a little respite.
The funding is for all children who receive free school meals or those families that need support. Places for up to 50 children are available for this great opportunity to engage in fun activities such as archery, multi-sport, football skills and fencing. Extra funding to take the children on trips is applied for. So far children have been to the cinema, bowling and theatre.
Children are provided with a hot healthy lunch. To support the understanding of healthy food and what the benefits are fresh food is bought, and meals are cooked from scratch. The children help prepare chicken, mince and fish, season it and peel and chop the vegetables. The children love this. They always eat it as they took part in the preparation.
Please visit our website at: www.giggleskidsclub.co.uk
Email address: gigglesnews@hotmail.co.uk
## 9[th] Sydenham Beavers, Cubs and Scouts Annual Report
This year our scouts have been able to return to meeting at the Grove Centre, as the building work has been completed. This is really good news for us, as it means the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are all meeting at the same venue. This allows closer working between the different age groups and smooths arrangements for parents considerably.
We have 18 Beavers, 24 Cubs, 10 Scouts and 3 young leaders (aged 14 – 17 years), both boys and girls. The Scout Association has changed the leadership training programme this year, which has allowed us to increase our leadership base to 9 adults. Also, we have 6 regular helpers and good
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support from parents. We meet on Wednesdays in term time and follow the Scout Association graded programme of activities and learning. This include being outdoors, being adventurous, enjoying the wider world, caring for others and ourselves, and being creative and reflective. It is great to have the facilities of the Grove Centre in which to meet - good size halls to run around in and, in summer, a garden to enjoy too. Apart from our regular weekly meetings, our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts had weekends staying over at our local District campsite near Selsdon, which we have booked to replicate this coming year.
We have strong links with the Grove Centre. The Grove Centre Church has a formal sponsorship agreement with 9[th] Sydenham Scout group, which includes representation on our Trustee Board. We continue to be grateful for all their support. We held church parade services in December and March, where the children have made an active contribution to the service. Also, we have delivered Christmas bulbs to older members of the congregation in December, on behalf of the church.
Julia Anstey
Group Scout Leader, 9th Sydenham Scout Group
## Step Tuesday
We are the Tuesday evening step meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous and we meet in the Grove Centre from 8 - 9.30pm. This meeting and all AA meetings are open to anyone who thinks they may have a problem with alcohol and the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. We love to welcome newcomers and we also have a website and helpline that people can call. Our meeting has been running for over 40 years and is one of the longest running in south London. We have good attendance and this year we are welcoming 15-40 people each week. We always have newcomers attending including those at their first meeting.
The meeting is very grateful for the use of the new space and we were glad to get back in following the refurbishment. The new toilets and kitchen are a definite upgrade.
Thanks to all the staff and volunteers at the Grove Centre Church.
## Osteopath – Margaret Ohuche
I have been practising as an osteopath for over 30 years and for most of this time I was working at the Wells Park Practice, only leaving there in April 2024. I was pleased to be able to rent space at the Grove Centre from September 2024. This venue was not only very convenient for some of my previous patients but allowed me to become known to a wider clientele.
I have enjoyed my experience so far at the Centre, my needs have been accommodated. Very recently a smart new lift was installed which will enable better access to the Grove Centre facilities.
I welcome enquiries from anyone who is suffering from muscle, joint or nerve problems which may be associated with stress, posture, sport or wear and tear or injury of another kind.
My mobile number is 07545291114, and I have a website www.MargaretOhucheosteopathlondon.co.uk I look forward to hearing from you.
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## Additional comments
## NHS Blood Transfusion Unit
The Centre acts as a venue for regular blood doning sessions, always supports with our bookings where possible and helps to ensure the smooth running of our bookings. Even during your refurbishment you always found a way to confirm the bookings we requested.
You are supporting us to allow donors in the area to donate blood to help save and improve patients’ lives. Thank you for your ongoing support.
## Community Craft Group
We previously met in a temporary setting but for a permanent home were recommended the Grove Centre for its locations and great facilities.
We meet up on Wednesday morning for various craft projects including knitting, crochet and embroidery. We teach each other new skills and share information about resources and exhibitions in a safe, welcoming and beautiful setting. Eija
Goodbye to Rev Louise Polhill and husband Alex Martini on 29[th] September 2024
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## 1.4 Financial Review
## Treasurer’s Report
The Grove Centre Church accounts consist of the Church General Fund (shown as the “Unrestricted Fund”), the Grove Centre Management Committee (“Grove Centre Designated Fund”), a number of smaller funds and appeals, and the valuation of the premises with which the church is endowed through the Baptist and URC trusts.
Regular donations to the Church, through standing orders, envelope giving, and the open plate totalled £56,022 (prior year £48,967), an excellent 14.4% increase. However, the passing on of generous donors in April 2025 might lead to a reduced regular offering in the year ahead.
Income was supported by £391 of one-off donations, £200 from the Friendship Group and a grant of £2,000 towards buildings maintenance from the United Reformed Church Southern Synod. We received £13,065 of gift aid recoveries (prior year £12,918), and £218 of interest earned on accounts, bringing overall General Fund income to £72,596, up 5.9% from £68,726 in 2023/24.
Church expenses excluding contributions to the Centre were £41,392 (prior year £52,499), a decrease of 21.1%, due to ministerial vacancy from 1[st] October 2024. The church plans to use most of the reduced stipend and pension cost to support the renewal and redecoration of the manse ahead of receiving a new Minister in due course, and began that work in the year.
A contribution of £14,256 was needed towards Grove Centre costs (prior year £12,300), to support recovery of lettings following the building project. As the London Borough of Lewisham grant to the Grove Centre has ended on 31 March 2025, a similar amount is expected in the year ahead.
The Grove Centre Financial report provides a commentary on the year for the Grove Centre (Designated Fund). The charts below provide an overview of the year (excluding building funds).
## Building Fund Report (Designed and Restricted Funds)
Individual donations of £17,982 (including gift aid recoveries) were received towards the completion of the project during the year (prior year £31,955 plus £13,000 legacy). Funds in our accounts with the Baptist Union Corporation and Nationwide Building Society earned a further £1,244 in interest (prior year £4,774).
The Baptist Union Corporation approved the transfer of £191,072 as a capital contribution from the residual funds from the sale of the former manse at 17 Gaynesford Road (Fund TS106). This was released on 1[st] May 2024 and was a timely and valuable contribution to the Building Fund. The following grants totalling £113,909 were received during the year:
- URC Southern Synod - £73,109 (in addition to £112,430 in 23/24, making £185,539 total)
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- Garfield Weston Foundation - £30,000
- Hobson Charity - £10,000
- M&G Trust - £800
A further grant of £99,470 was awarded by City Bridge Foundation in March 2025 and is expected to be received as project expenditure for Phase 2 work is reclaimed from the grant funder. This enabled the Gartec lift deposit of £19,218 to be paid just before year end. The lift was installed in April 2025, so the deposit is recognised as a pre-payment in the accounts at 31[st] March 2025.
Local fund raising raised £1,692 during the year (prior year £2,641). This came from:
|Table Sale June 2024 - £557.60|Table Sale Nov 2024 - £934.05|
|---|---|
|Crockery Gift May 2024 - £200.00||
Thank you to everyone who led or participated in the fund raising over the year.
Major expenses of £399,207 were incurred for the main contract with Goodsell Ltd, plus £10,608 for drain repairs, £6,743 for kitchen appliances and other costs and £7,933 for architects and various other fees. Total expenditure in the year was £424,491.
The remaining work on the main contract with Goodsell Ltd is expected to cost £54,617 including VAT to complete the Phase 1 works in 2025 and release the retention in January 2026. There was £64,536 remaining in the Building Fund (Designated) at year end, so £9,919 was available towards other costs incurred outside the main contract in the year ahead.
A total of £423,213 was capitalised as work in progress and then written down to £230,000 as an interim insurance valuation after transfer into the Endowment Fund which owns the premises.
## Other Charitable Appeals
Charitable appeals raised £381 for Christian Aid Week and £384 towards the Baptist World Mission “Seek First the Kingdom” Harvest Appeal supporting evangelists in Bangladesh. £261 was donated to Lewisham Churches for Asylum Seekers and £20 to Lewisham Foodbank, both Christmas offerings, in addition to a substantial collection of food and other goods sent to the Foodbank from Harvest and Gift Service offerings. The total donated from appeals was £1,046.
## Organ (Piano) Fund
In March/April 2024 the church raised funds to purchase a new piano suitable for the Main Hall, to be installed before for the 50[th] anniversary celebration of the opening of The Grove Centre. After considering different options a Kawai K800 model was purchased. This is capitalised within the Organ Fund (Restricted) which was used to receive donations for the new instrument.
## Special Collections Fund
The church organised a group of 13 adults and 9 young people to attend Spring Harvest 2025 in Minehead. The costs for the holiday and gifts donated to support this were collected in the Special Collections fund. There is a gift aid recovery balance of £250 available to support a future event.
Paul Treece,
Church Treasurer 2024/25
## Grove Centre Financial Report
The detail for the Grove Centre Management accounts can be found within the main accounts under section 11.5 which are the areas administered by the Grove Centre.
Overall income grew by £4,875 over the previous year. Within this the Church contribution increased by £1,956 to £14,256. The Church budgets to support the overall costs by £7,200 and
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an additional £7,056 was needed for the new main door to the Nursery (£3,300) and additional cash flow.
There are encouraging signs of growth in Centre lettings from £14,027 to £17,347 as the new programme, within the newly refurbished facilities, grows. Once the House was usable, we were able to accommodate new regular users and plenty of children’s parties. This would not be possible without the help of the volunteers and staff who open and close the buildings on a regular basis. We are grateful to the London Borough of Lewisham for their support via the 3 year partnership grant which commenced in April 2022. While the lunch service is valued by those who need it, the number of lunches being served, after an initial decline, has stabilised. We have updated the menus in consultation with users; we are exploring ways of advertising our service more widely in the community and through partner organisations. We are exploring other activities that could be provided to lunch users to attract more customers.
Costs, excluding the replacement of the Nursery Door, reduced compared to the prior year by £1,526. This was largely due to savings in salaries, during the gap while a new Manager/Administrator was recruited, gas, as a result the new controls on the boiler in House Hall and Other Costs. These savings help cover a large increase in Equipment Costs, incurred in support of items needed for the new facilities. We know next year will be more challenging with the increase in the minimum wage and efforts to reach the London Living wage.
Taking this into account, the movement in year end funds improved by £3,564 (£3,308 + £256). Next year we shall need to re-negotiate our utility tariffs as our current agreement ends in August 2025. Now the building works are almost finished, we look forward to further regular lettings and increased income. However, we are aware that the grant we have received from the London Borough of Lewisham has come to an end.
I was appointed as Financial Secretary in July 2024, taking over from Ian Warren who had stepped in at short notice following the previous Financial Secretary having to relinquish her role due to health concerns. Ian has been enormously helpful in mentoring me in taking on this role and continues to provide support as needed. I have been supported and am very grateful for the ongoing work of Amanda Richardson, our new Centre Manager/ Administrator, who inputs the data, and also to Paul Treece who advises, checks and inputs the Centre accounts into the main Church /Charity accounts.
In a time of personnel changes, I am indebted to Paul and Ian for the expertise and support they have offered, ensuring continuity in a time of change.
## Alison Cutts,
Finance Secretary 2024/25
## Accounting Standards
The Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 have been produced as Accruals Accounts, with a Statement of Financial Activities and a full Balance Sheet. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.
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Though the threshold for mandatory accruals accounting is above the gross income of the charity, accruals accounting has been used, as is permitted by law, to provide a consistent basis for the presentation and assessment of the financial state of the Church.
## Reserves Policy
As required by the Charities Act 2011 the deacons, as trustees of the church, have reviewed the Reserves Policy, taking guidance from the Baptist Union (F07 Charity Reserves, 2018).
The Grove Centre Church needs to maintain adequate reserves in order to cover large unexpected bills or repairs, to contribute towards occasional substantial building projects (e.g. new windows or roof) and to allow time for adjustments to be made if there is a significant reduction in income or increase in expenditure.
The trustees consider that current assets (debtors, investments, bank and cash) of six months’ regular income provide an appropriate target level of working capital and reserves.
In view of the draw on funds for the building project, the trustees have decided that a minimum of three months’ reserves should be retained for contingencies.
The net current assets of the Church, excluding Restricted and Endowment funds, were at £147,409 on 31[st] March 2025, equivalent to 12.3 months’ income (excluding special funds and the manse insurance claim). After deducting the £64,536 designated to the Building Fund for the completion of the House extension, this leaves £82,873 as net current assets for other funds. This is 6.8 months’ income, above the six months’ regular income target level set by the trustees.
## 1.5 Structure, Governance and Management
## Governing Document
The Grove Centre Church (including the Grove Centre) is constituted as a charitable trust registered with the Charity Commission on 8 April 2009 under the charity number 1129070. It is governed by the Constitution for the Grove Centre Church approved in January 2009.
## Organisational Structure
The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees meet together as a body monthly (except in August) and are responsible for the decisions taken in relation to running the Church and community facilities and the activities provided by the charity. To assist in the smooth running of the charity the trustees have set up a management committee that oversees the running of the facilities and community activities.
The Grove Centre Management Committee oversees the day to day running of the buildings and works to fulfil the vision for the Centre from the Church.
## Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
The trustees are appointed in line with the Constitution, with nominations and elections from amongst the members of the Grove Centre Church. Long serving members of the Church who have been appointed as Life Deacons (where attending meetings), the Minister and the elected Deacons and Officers constitute the trustees.
The Grove Centre Management Committee is supported by a balance of nominated Church representatives, and representatives from the Centre’s various user groups. Consideration is given in appointing Church representatives to the Management Committee with relevant personal competence, specialist knowledge and skills.
## Induction and Training of the Trustees
Following the election and appointment, new trustees are introduced to their role and the policies and procedures adopted by the charity along with a publication from the Charity Commission
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explaining the roles and obligations of a trustee. Trustees are also provided with an induction into the buildings to highlight issues connected to the operation of the Centre enabling them to be able to open up, lock up and operate the facilities as per the operational instructions. This assists in ensuring that the Trustees are aware of the scope of their responsibilities under the Charities Act and assists with the smooth running of the Centre.
## Risk Management
The Trustees have assessed the risks the charity faces and have drawn up a risk matrix which identifies the major risks by area of activity, the nature of those risks and the likelihood of the risks happening and the measures taken to manage them. The Trustees review this risk matrix on an annual basis. The Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place, or arrangements are in hand to manage the risks that have been identified.
In particular, insurance cover is in place and the finances of the Grove Centre Church and Grove Centre are kept under review. Financial controls were reviewed during the year.
Appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, supported by regular review of policies for those who work with children (Grove Centre Church) and vulnerable adults (Grove Centre) are undertaken in accordance with guidance from the Home Office.
## 1.6 Reference and Administrative Details
## Legal Information
The Grove Centre Church is registered as Charity No. 1129070.
## Church Address
2 Jews Walk, Sydenham, London SE26 6PL Website: www.thegrovecentre.org.uk
## Trustees
The officers, life deacons and deacons of The Grove Centre Church, together with the Minister, are the Trustees. Those serving during the financial year were: Minister: Vacancy Revd Louise Polhill (resigned 30 Sep 2024) Church Secretary: Mr Ian Bromley Church Treasurer: Mr Paul Treece Chair of Grove Centre Management: Mrs Anne Neal (appointed 7 July 2024) Mr Ian Warren (resigned 7 July 2024) Grove Centre Financial Secretary: Mrs Alison Cutts (appointed 7 July 2024) Mrs Carole Eaton (resigned 7 July 2024) Deacons: Mrs Janet Clark-Gardiner Mrs Grace Harawa Dr Richard Neal Mrs Avril Sydee Mrs Judith Warren (appointed 7 July 2024) Life Deacon: Mrs Elizabeth Noon
No trustees held the title to property belonging to the charity in the reporting period.
## Bankers
Grove Centre Church: Co-operative Bank plc, Nationwide Building Society and Baptist Union Corporation. Grove Centre: HSBC plc, Beckenham Branch.
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## 2. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025
|Notes
**Income and endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2a
Charitable activities
2b
Other trading activities
2c
Investment income
2d
Other income
2e
**Total Income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising Funds
3a
Charitable activities
Grant funding of
activities
3b
Church activities
undertaken directly
3c
Grove Centre Church
Restricted Grants
3d
Grove Centre
Management
3e
Building Project
3f
**Total Expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**for the year**
3h
**Transfers between funds**
**Other recognised**
**gains/(losses)**
Net gains/(losses) on
revaluations of fixed assets
4
Actuarial gains/(losses) on
defined benefit pension
schemes
15
**Net Movement in Funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total Funds brought forward
1stApril 2024
**Total Funds carried**
**forward 31st March 2025**|Unrestricted Designated Restricted
Endowment Total 2025 Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
71,478
29,132
117,989
218,599
275,994
68,327
4,253
72,580
65,490
1,752
1,752
2,654
218
1,355
392
1,965
10,771
900
900|Unrestricted Designated Restricted
Endowment Total 2025 Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
71,478
29,132
117,989
218,599
275,994
68,327
4,253
72,580
65,490
1,752
1,752
2,654
218
1,355
392
1,965
10,771
900
900|
|---|---|---|
||**72,596**
**100,566**
**122,242**
**392**
**295,796**
**354,909**||
||5,954
500
1,046
7,500
8,822
35,438
350
6,388
8,508
50,684
60,586||
||41,392
850
7,434
8,508
58,184
69,408
212
85,814
85,814
87,340
1,278
1,278
1,700||
||**41,392**
**87,942**
**7,434**
**8,508**
**145,276**
**158,660**||
||||
||31,204
12,624
114,808
(8,116)
150,520
196,249
(14,056)
(107,476)
(113,909)
235,441||
||||
||(42,412)
(42,412)
(667)||
||17,148
(94,852)
899
184,913
108,108
195,582
56,470
168,643
9,611
2,685,899 2,920,623 2,725,041||
||**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812 3,028,731 2,920,623**||
Comparative figures for each fund are shown in the notes to the accounts
28 of 46
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## 3. BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31[ST] MARCH 2025
|Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Endowment
Notes General
Designated Funds
Funds
Total 2025 Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets
4
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
_Total fixed assets_
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
**Current Assets**
Debtors
5
12,472
5,301
19,595
37,368
21,507
Investments
6
29,059
29,059
237,422
Bank and Cash
7
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
_Total current assets_
72,631
78,991
250
151,872
427,175
**Current Liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
8
5,200
5,200
3,486
**Net Current Assets**
_Net current assets_
72,631
73,791
250
146,672
423,689
_Total assets less current_
_liabilities_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
_Net assets or (liabilities)_
_excluding pension liability_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Defined benefit pension
scheme (liability)
**Total net assets or**
**liabilities**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**
**Charity Funds**
Endowment funds
9
1,864,030
1,864,030
1,636,705
Revaluation reserve
4
1,006,782
1,006,782
1,049,194
Restricted funds
10
10,510
10,510
9,611
_Total restricted funds_
10,510
2,870,812
2,881,322
2,695,510
Designated funds
11
73,791
73,791
168,643
Unrestricted funds
12
73,618
73,618
56,470
Pension reserve
15
_Total unrestricted funds_
73,618
73,791
147,409
225,113
**_Total Charity Funds_**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**|Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Endowment
Notes General
Designated Funds
Funds
Total 2025 Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets
4
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
_Total fixed assets_
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
**Current Assets**
Debtors
5
12,472
5,301
19,595
37,368
21,507
Investments
6
29,059
29,059
237,422
Bank and Cash
7
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
_Total current assets_
72,631
78,991
250
151,872
427,175
**Current Liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
8
5,200
5,200
3,486
**Net Current Assets**
_Net current assets_
72,631
73,791
250
146,672
423,689
_Total assets less current_
_liabilities_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
_Net assets or (liabilities)_
_excluding pension liability_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Defined benefit pension
scheme (liability)
**Total net assets or**
**liabilities**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**
**Charity Funds**
Endowment funds
9
1,864,030
1,864,030
1,636,705
Revaluation reserve
4
1,006,782
1,006,782
1,049,194
Restricted funds
10
10,510
10,510
9,611
_Total restricted funds_
10,510
2,870,812
2,881,322
2,695,510
Designated funds
11
73,791
73,791
168,643
Unrestricted funds
12
73,618
73,618
56,470
Pension reserve
15
_Total unrestricted funds_
73,618
73,791
147,409
225,113
**_Total Charity Funds_**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**|Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Endowment
Notes General
Designated Funds
Funds
Total 2025 Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets
4
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
_Total fixed assets_
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
**Current Assets**
Debtors
5
12,472
5,301
19,595
37,368
21,507
Investments
6
29,059
29,059
237,422
Bank and Cash
7
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
_Total current assets_
72,631
78,991
250
151,872
427,175
**Current Liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
8
5,200
5,200
3,486
**Net Current Assets**
_Net current assets_
72,631
73,791
250
146,672
423,689
_Total assets less current_
_liabilities_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
_Net assets or (liabilities)_
_excluding pension liability_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Defined benefit pension
scheme (liability)
**Total net assets or**
**liabilities**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**
**Charity Funds**
Endowment funds
9
1,864,030
1,864,030
1,636,705
Revaluation reserve
4
1,006,782
1,006,782
1,049,194
Restricted funds
10
10,510
10,510
9,611
_Total restricted funds_
10,510
2,870,812
2,881,322
2,695,510
Designated funds
11
73,791
73,791
168,643
Unrestricted funds
12
73,618
73,618
56,470
Pension reserve
15
_Total unrestricted funds_
73,618
73,791
147,409
225,113
**_Total Charity Funds_**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**|Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Endowment
Notes General
Designated Funds
Funds
Total 2025 Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets
4
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
_Total fixed assets_
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
**Current Assets**
Debtors
5
12,472
5,301
19,595
37,368
21,507
Investments
6
29,059
29,059
237,422
Bank and Cash
7
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
_Total current assets_
72,631
78,991
250
151,872
427,175
**Current Liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
8
5,200
5,200
3,486
**Net Current Assets**
_Net current assets_
72,631
73,791
250
146,672
423,689
_Total assets less current_
_liabilities_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
_Net assets or (liabilities)_
_excluding pension liability_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Defined benefit pension
scheme (liability)
**Total net assets or**
**liabilities**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**
**Charity Funds**
Endowment funds
9
1,864,030
1,864,030
1,636,705
Revaluation reserve
4
1,006,782
1,006,782
1,049,194
Restricted funds
10
10,510
10,510
9,611
_Total restricted funds_
10,510
2,870,812
2,881,322
2,695,510
Designated funds
11
73,791
73,791
168,643
Unrestricted funds
12
73,618
73,618
56,470
Pension reserve
15
_Total unrestricted funds_
73,618
73,791
147,409
225,113
**_Total Charity Funds_**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**|Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Endowment
Notes General
Designated Funds
Funds
Total 2025 Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets
4
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
_Total fixed assets_
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
**Current Assets**
Debtors
5
12,472
5,301
19,595
37,368
21,507
Investments
6
29,059
29,059
237,422
Bank and Cash
7
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
_Total current assets_
72,631
78,991
250
151,872
427,175
**Current Liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
8
5,200
5,200
3,486
**Net Current Assets**
_Net current assets_
72,631
73,791
250
146,672
423,689
_Total assets less current_
_liabilities_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
_Net assets or (liabilities)_
_excluding pension liability_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Defined benefit pension
scheme (liability)
**Total net assets or**
**liabilities**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**
**Charity Funds**
Endowment funds
9
1,864,030
1,864,030
1,636,705
Revaluation reserve
4
1,006,782
1,006,782
1,049,194
Restricted funds
10
10,510
10,510
9,611
_Total restricted funds_
10,510
2,870,812
2,881,322
2,695,510
Designated funds
11
73,791
73,791
168,643
Unrestricted funds
12
73,618
73,618
56,470
Pension reserve
15
_Total unrestricted funds_
73,618
73,791
147,409
225,113
**_Total Charity Funds_**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**|Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Endowment
Notes General
Designated Funds
Funds
Total 2025 Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets
4
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
_Total fixed assets_
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
**Current Assets**
Debtors
5
12,472
5,301
19,595
37,368
21,507
Investments
6
29,059
29,059
237,422
Bank and Cash
7
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
_Total current assets_
72,631
78,991
250
151,872
427,175
**Current Liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
8
5,200
5,200
3,486
**Net Current Assets**
_Net current assets_
72,631
73,791
250
146,672
423,689
_Total assets less current_
_liabilities_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
_Net assets or (liabilities)_
_excluding pension liability_
73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623
Defined benefit pension
scheme (liability)
**Total net assets or**
**liabilities**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**
**Charity Funds**
Endowment funds
9
1,864,030
1,864,030
1,636,705
Revaluation reserve
4
1,006,782
1,006,782
1,049,194
Restricted funds
10
10,510
10,510
9,611
_Total restricted funds_
10,510
2,870,812
2,881,322
2,695,510
Designated funds
11
73,791
73,791
168,643
Unrestricted funds
12
73,618
73,618
56,470
Pension reserve
15
_Total unrestricted funds_
73,618
73,791
147,409
225,113
**_Total Charity Funds_**
**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934|||||
||12,472
5,301
19,595
37,368
21,507
29,059
29,059
237,422
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246|||||
||72,631
78,991
250
151,872
427,175|||||
||5,200
5,200
3,486|||||
||72,631
73,791
250
146,672
423,689|||||
||73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623|||||
|||||||
||73,618
73,791
10,510
2,870,812
3,028,731
2,920,623|||||
||**73,618**
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**|||||
||||1,864,030
1,864,030
1,636,705
1,006,782
1,006,782
1,049,194
10,510
10,510
9,611|||
|||||||
|||||||
||||10,510
2,870,812
2,881,322
2,695,510|||
||73,791
73,618|73,791|||73,791
168,643
73,618
56,470|
|||||||
|||||||
||73,618
73,791||||147,409
225,113|
||**73,618**|
**73,791**
**10,510**
**2,870,812**
**3,028,731**
**2,920,623**||||
The notes on pages 30 to 45 form an integral part of these accounts
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 3[rd] June 2025 and are signed on their behalf by
Church Treasurer
Church Secretary
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## 4. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025
## 1. Accounting Policies
## 1a
## **Basis of Accounting**
The Grove Centre Church is a registered charity no 1129070 and meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, also noting guidance on church accounts provided by the United Reformed Church and the Baptist Union.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102.
There are no material uncertainties regarding the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
## 1b
## **Income recognition**
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met (5.10 to 5.12 FRS102 SORP). The charity has received government grants in the reporting period from the London Borough of Lewisham.
## 1c
## **Donations**
Donations are accounted for gross when received. Fixed asset gifts in kind are recognized when receivable and are included at fair value. Donations under Gift Aid plus the associated tax recovery are recognised as income when the donation is received. Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Cash donations of up to £30 are recognised under the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme within its annual limits. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.
The charity recognises Gift Aid recoveries due from HMRC as a debtor in the balance sheet until payment is received.
## 1d
## **Legacies**
Legacies are accounted for when probate has been completed, the amount of the legacy can be reliably quantified and the conditions of the legacy are within the control of the church.
## 1e **Investment Income**
Investment income is included in the accounts in the year in which it is receivable.
## 1f
## **Expenditure recognition**
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure is recognized where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Resources expended are recognised in the period to which they are incurred and include attributable VAT which cannot be recovered. They are allocated to the particular activity to which they relate.
Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. An example is hall deposits held for future events. No material stock items are held as assets either for charitable activities or for sale as other trading activities. Small purchases such as of stationery, cleaning supplies and food for the Lunches service are accounted for as expenses when invoices are received.
## 1g **Costs of raising funds**
The church does not make formal appeals for funds, and expenditure on these items is therefore not material.
## 1h **Grants payable**
The church makes grants to other organisations whose charitable objects complement its work. They are accounted for when the recipient has been notified of the grant and payment is unconditional.
The URC Ministry & Mission Fund contribution is included in the financial statements for the year to which it relates. The church has a policy to contribute at the same level to the URC and to the Baptist Union, London Baptist Association, Baptist Home Mission Fund and Baptist Mission Society combined, thereby maintaining equal contributions to both parent denominations.
## 1i
## **Support Costs**
Governance and support costs are not material for the charity, so are not reported separately in the accounts.
Most of the management is carried out without charge by volunteers. This intangible cost is not included in the Statement of Financial Activities since there is no measurable cost to the volunteers for their service.
## 1j
## **Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £1,000. They are initially recognised at cost, or for donated assets, at a reasonable estimate of their value on receipt.
The church premises – Main Hall, Youth Hall and House – and the Manse were included in the balance sheet at insurance rebuilding valuation in 2007 and are adjusted annually in line with insurance renewals, net of depreciation of major works that are substantially part of the building structure and thus included in the insurance value. Rebuilding valuations were re-assessed by Bernard Pett Surveying (Chartered Surveyors) at the request of the trustees in October 2012 and updated in May 2023.
30 of 46
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The cost valuation of buildings has been taken as the insurance valuation at 31[st] March 2014, updated from the 2012 values, for the opening position for FRS102. A revaluation reserve has been created for the movement in insurance valuation since 31[st] March 2014. The Building Fund renewal and extension of the Grove Centre House in 2023-2025 was not complete at 31[st] March 2025, so work in progress has been capitalised at cost but revalued to an estimated insurance value of £230,001. A new valuation of the House is planned during 2025 when the work has been completed and will be reflected in 2026 accounts.
Furniture and equipment in the church premises and manse purchased before 1[st] April 2006 is considered fully depreciated to zero net book value. Building renewals and improvements, furniture and equipment over at least £1,000 purchased after 1[st] April 2006 are included at cost less depreciation charged.
## 1k **Depreciation**
Depreciation has not been charged on the premises, because in the opinion of the Trustees, the residual value of the asset is not less than the original cost price.
Depreciation on other building renewals and improvements and other fixed assets is calculated to write of the cost on a straight-line basis over their expected useful life, at the following rates:
Building renewals and improvements 5% straight line (20 years) or 10% straight line (10 years) Furniture and long-lasting fittings 5% straight line (20 years) or 10% straight line (10 years) Boilers, long-life appliances, other plant and musical 10% straight line (10 years) instruments
Amplification, computer equipment and other assets 20% straight line (5 years)
## 1l **Investment Assets**
Investments are initially stated at cost. Subsequently they are measured at fair value with changes recognized in the Statement of Financial Activities if the shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably. All other investment assets are shown at cost less impairment.
The Church has current asset investments which include cash on deposit and cash equivalents with a maturity of less than one year held for investment purposes rather than to meet short-term cash commitments as they fall due.
## 1m **Funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purpose.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for specific purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. These include grants for general Grove Centre running costs and subsidiary funds held within the groups and activities of the church.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for specific purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds represent those assets which must be held permanently by the charity, principally for the Grove Centre Main Hall, Youth Hall, House and Manse. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity. Any capital gains or losses arising on the investments form part of the fund. Investment management charges and legal advice relating to the fund are charged against the fund.
## 1n **Employee benefits**
The charity operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the charity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the charity has no further payments obligations. The contributions are recognised as an expense when they are due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals in the balance sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the charity in an independently administered fund.
Prior to 2012 pension provision was made through multi-employer defined benefit pension plans. Where it is not possible for the charity to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for a plan as a defined benefit plan, it accounts for the plan as a defined contribution plan.
Where the plan is, or was in deficit and where the charity has agreed, with the plan, to participate in a deficit funding arrangement, the charity recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the contributions payable under the agreement that relate to the deficit. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost and any other change in the measurement of this liability is expensed to the Statement of Financial Activities.
## 1o **Taxation**
As part of the United Reformed Church and the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Church is an excepted charity within the meaning of the Taxes Acts. Accordingly, it is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income and capital gains received to the extent that such income or gains are applied to exclusively charitable purposes. No provision for taxation has been made in these financial statements.
31 of 46
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## 2. Income and Endowments Notes
|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Total 2025
Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**2a**
**Donations and Legacies**
Charitable appeals
1,014
1,014
1,582
Standing order giving
47,535
60
47,595
41,907
Envelope scheme
6,662
6,662
5,848
Church collections
1,825
1,825
1,272
Sundry donations
391
1,055
1,000
2,446
3,052
Tax refunds under Gift Aid
13,065
282
13,347
12,969
Grants received (12.4)
2,000
2,000
4,000
Grove Centre Church
71,478
1,115
2,296
74,889
70,630
Sundry donations
1,539
1,539
7,285
Tax refunds under Gift Aid
245
245
1,819
Organ (Piano) Fund
1,784
1,784
9,104
Sundry donations
14,405
14,405
25,600
Tax refunds under Gift Aid
3,577
3,577
6,355
Legacies
13,000
Grants received (10.7)
113,909
113,909
141,305
Building Project
17,982
113,909
131,891
186,260
Sundry donations
35
35
Grants received (11.5)
10,000
10,000
10,000
Grove Centre
10,035
10,035
10,000
**Total**
**71,478**
**29,132**
**117,989**
**218,599**
**275,994**
In the year to 31stMarch 2025 a total of £117,989 of the donations and legacies income was attributable to restricted
funds, with the remaining £100,610 being attributable to unrestricted funds. Grant donors are identified in the notes.
**2b**
**Charitable activities**
Lunches service
6,155
6,155
6,935
Cherish nursery
28,661
28,661
28,310
Grove Centre user groups
16,164
16,164
16,218
Grove Centre lettings
17,347
17,347
14,027
Grove Centre
68,327
68,327
65,490
Spring Harvest 2025
4,253
4,253
**Total**
**68,327**
**4,253**
**72,580**
**65,490**
**2c**
**Income from other**
**trading activities**
Building Fund fund raising
including Table Sale events
1,692
1,692
2,641
Grove Centre office
60
60
13
**Total**
**1,752**
**1,752**
**2,654**
**2d**
**Investment Income**
Bank interest
218
111
329
856
Investment interest
1,244
1,244
4,774
BUC Manse Trust TS106
392
392
5,141
**Total**
**218**
**1,355**
**392**
**1,965**
**10,771**
**2e**
**Other Income**
Manse insurance claim
900
900
**Total**
**900**
**900**|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Total 2025
Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
1,014
1,014
1,582
47,535
60
47,595
41,907
6,662
6,662
5,848
1,825
1,825
1,272
391
1,055
1,000
2,446
3,052
13,065
282
13,347
12,969
2,000
2,000
4,000|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Total 2025
Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
1,014
1,014
1,582
47,535
60
47,595
41,907
6,662
6,662
5,848
1,825
1,825
1,272
391
1,055
1,000
2,446
3,052
13,065
282
13,347
12,969
2,000
2,000
4,000|
|---|---|---|
||71,478
1,115
2,296
74,889
70,630
1,539
1,539
7,285
245
245
1,819||
||1,784
1,784
9,104
14,405
14,405
25,600
3,577
3,577
6,355
13,000
113,909
113,909
141,305||
||17,982
113,909
131,891
186,260
35
35
10,000
10,000
10,000||
||10,035
10,035
10,000||
||**71,478**
**29,132**
**117,989**
**218,599**
**275,994**||
|||68,327
68,327
65,490
4,253
4,253|
|||**68,327**
**4,253**
**72,580**
**65,490**|
|||1,692
1,692
2,641
60
60
13|
||||
||||
|||**1,752**
**1,752**
**2,654**|
||218
111
329
856
1,244
1,244
4,774
392
392
5,141||
||**218**
**1,355**
**392**
**1,965**
**10,771**||
||900
900||
||**900**
**900**||
32 of 46
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## 3. Expenditure Notes
|||Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted|Endowment|Total 2025|Total 2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£|£|£|£|£|£|
|**3a**|**Raising Funds**|||||||
||No expenses this period|||||||
||**Total**|||||||
|**3b**|**Grants payable**|||||||
||Charitable appeals (10.4)|||1,046||1,046|
1,633|
||Friendship Group grants (11.6)||500|||500|
590|
||Church grants (12.4.2d)|5,954||||5,954|
5,849|
||Grants to institutions|5,954|
500|
1,046||7,500|
8,072|
||Education fund (10.7)||||||750|
||Grants to individuals||||||750|
||**Total**|**5,954**|
**500**|
**1,046**||**7,500**|
**8,822**|
|**3c**|**Church activities undertaken directly**|||||||
||Ministry costs (12.4.2a)|19,780||||19,780|
36,324|
||Manse costs (12.4.2b)|9,989||||9,989|
5,712|
||Church activities (12.4.2c)|5,669||||5,669|
4,614|
||Depreciation (9.1 and 10,6)|||1,135|
8,508|
9,643|
13,667|
||Spring Harvest 2025 (10.9)|||5,253||5,253|
13,667|
||Friendship Group (11.6)||263|||263|
269|
||Youth Fund (11.8)||87|||87||
||**Total**|**35,438**|
**350**|
**6,388**|
**8,508**|
**50,684**|
**60,586**|
|**3d**|**Restricted grant-funded activities undertaken directly**|||||||
||Borough of Culture grant (10.8)||||||212|
||**Total**||||||**212**|
|**3e**|**Grove Centre Management activities undertaken**|||**directly**||||
||Staff costs (11.5.2a)||39,838|||39,838|
42,612|
||Food costs (11.5.2b)||5,932|||5,932|
6,806|
||Equipment costs (11.5.2c)||6,834|||6,834|
2,101|
||Premises costs (11.5.2d)||29,035|||29,035|
28,960|
||Other costs (11.5.2e)||4,175|||4,175|
6,861|
||**Total**||**85,814**|||**85,814**|
**87,340**|
|**3f**|**Building Project activities undertaken directly**|||||||
||Building works||||||343|
||Architects & professional fees||1,213|||1,213||
||Legal fees & bank charges||65|||65|
1,357|
||**Total**||**1,278**|||**1,278**|
**1,700**|
|**3g**|**Support and Governance**|**costs**||||||
||The administration of The Grove Centre is a charitable activity included in staff costs under note 11.5.2a.|||||||
||No costs were incurred for Governance in the year.|||||||
|**3h**|**Net income for the year**|||||||
||Net income for the year|31,204|12,624|
114,808|
(8,116)|150,520|
196,249|
||**Total**|**31,204**|
**12,624**|
**114,808**|
**(8,116)**|**150,520**|
**196,249**|
33 of 46
v1.0
## 4. Balance Sheet Notes
|**4**
**Tangible fixed assets**
Notes
Freehold
Land &
Buildings
Leasehold
Land &
Buildings
Motor
Vehicles
Fixtures,
Fittings &
Equipment
Total 2025
Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**4.1**
**Cost**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
2,527,117
61,213
2,588,330
2,322,182
Additions (major works)
426,513
11,395
437,908
281,766
Disposals
(14,951)
Revaluation of fixed assets
(42,412)
(42,412)
(667)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
2,911,218
72,608
2,983,826
2,588,330
**4.2**
**Depreciation**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
48,312
43,084
91,396
91,952
Net charge for the year
8,508
1,863
10,371
14,395
Disposals
(14,951)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
56,820
44,947
101,767
91,396
**4.3**
**Net book value**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
2,478,805
18,129
2,496,934
2,230,230
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
2,854,398
27,661
2,882,059
2,496,934
See Note 1j for accounting policy and the basis of valuations and the revaluation reserve.
All of the fixed assets are used for direct charitable purposes.
Notes
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Total 2025
Total 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**4.4**
**Tangible fixed assets by fund**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
1,715
2,495,219
2,496,934
2,230,230
Additions (major works)
11,395
426,513
437,908
281,766
Depreciation
(728)
(1,135)
(8,508)
(10,371)
(14,395)
Revaluation of fixed assets
(41,412)
(41,412)
(667)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
987
10,260
2,870,812
2,882,059
2,496,934
Revaluation reserve
(1,006,782)
(1,006,782)
(1,049,194)
Book value before revaluation
987
10,260
1,864,030
1,875,277
1,447,740
**5**
**Debtors**
**5.1**
**Debtors at 31st March 2025**
HMRC – Gift Aid Receivable
12,472
3,576
377
16,425
20,823
Centre - Cherish Nursery
1,292
1,292
684
Accrued income
12,472
4,868
377
17,717
21,507
Centre - Everflow water
433
433
Building - Gartec Lift
19,218
19,218
Prepayments and other debtors
433
19,218
19,651
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
12,472
5,301
19,595
37,368
21,507
**5.2**
**Movements on debtors in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
12,598
7,039
1,870
21,507
23,167
Movement in year
(126)
(1,738)
17,725
15,861
(1,660)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
12,472
5,301
19,595
37,368
21,507
**6**
**Current Asset Investments**
**6.1**
**Investments at 31st March 2025**
BUC Manse Trust TS106
190,680
BUC GT022 7-Day A/c
29,059
29,059
46,742
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
29,059
29,059
237,422
Notes
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Total 2025
Total 2024|Freehold
Land &
Buildings
Leasehold
Land &
Buildings
£
£|Motor
Vehicles
£|Fixtures,
Fittings &
Equipment
Total 2025
Total 2024
£
£
£
61,213
2,588,330
2,322,182
11,395
437,908
281,766
(14,951)
(42,412)
(667)
72,608
2,983,826
2,588,330|
|---|---|---|---|
||2,527,117|||
||426,513
(42,412)
2,911,218|||
||48,312
8,508
56,820||43,084
91,396
91,952
1,863
10,371
14,395
(14,951)
44,947
101,767
91,396|
||2,478,805||18,129
2,496,934
2,230,230|
||2,854,398||27,661
2,882,059
2,496,934|
||29,059
29,059
237,422|||
||Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Total 2025
Total 2024|||
34 of 46
v1.0
|£
£
£
£
£
£
**6.2**
**Movements on investments (short term) in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
46,742
190,680
237,422
377,507
Additional deposits in year
191,072
191,072
Addition of interest in year
1,244
392
1,636
9,915
Disposals withdrawn in year
(18,927)
(191,072)
(191,072)
(401,071)
(150,000)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
29,059
29,059
237,422
**7**
**Bank and cash balances**
**7.1**
**Bank and cash at 31st March 2025**
Co-operative Church A/c
49,864
32,114
(19,345)
62,633
150,092
Nationwide Instant Saver A/c
10,295
5,290
15,585
15,256
HSBC Grove Centre A/c
6,589
6,589
2,505
Cash Grove Centre A/c
194
194
41
Cash Friendship Monday Group
444
444
352
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
**7.2**
**Movements on bank and cash inyear**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
42,157
118,348
7,741
168,246
98,308
Movement in year
31,840
(87,884)
(27,086)
(83,130)
69,082
Addition of interest in year
218
111
329
856
Transfers between funds
(14,056)
14,056
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
**8**
**Creditors**
**8.1**
**Creditors at 31st March 2025 (falling due within 12 months)**
Hall hire deposits held
2,240
2,240
1,021
Utilities accrued costs
2,960
2,960
2,465
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
5,200
5,200
3,486
**8.2**
**Movements on creditors in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
3,486
3,486
4,171
Movement in year
1,714
1,714
(685)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
5,200
5,200
3,486|£
£
£
£
£
£
**6.2**
**Movements on investments (short term) in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
46,742
190,680
237,422
377,507
Additional deposits in year
191,072
191,072
Addition of interest in year
1,244
392
1,636
9,915
Disposals withdrawn in year
(18,927)
(191,072)
(191,072)
(401,071)
(150,000)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
29,059
29,059
237,422
**7**
**Bank and cash balances**
**7.1**
**Bank and cash at 31st March 2025**
Co-operative Church A/c
49,864
32,114
(19,345)
62,633
150,092
Nationwide Instant Saver A/c
10,295
5,290
15,585
15,256
HSBC Grove Centre A/c
6,589
6,589
2,505
Cash Grove Centre A/c
194
194
41
Cash Friendship Monday Group
444
444
352
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
**7.2**
**Movements on bank and cash inyear**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
42,157
118,348
7,741
168,246
98,308
Movement in year
31,840
(87,884)
(27,086)
(83,130)
69,082
Addition of interest in year
218
111
329
856
Transfers between funds
(14,056)
14,056
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
**8**
**Creditors**
**8.1**
**Creditors at 31st March 2025 (falling due within 12 months)**
Hall hire deposits held
2,240
2,240
1,021
Utilities accrued costs
2,960
2,960
2,465
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
5,200
5,200
3,486
**8.2**
**Movements on creditors in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
3,486
3,486
4,171
Movement in year
1,714
1,714
(685)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
5,200
5,200
3,486|£
£
£
£
£
£
**6.2**
**Movements on investments (short term) in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
46,742
190,680
237,422
377,507
Additional deposits in year
191,072
191,072
Addition of interest in year
1,244
392
1,636
9,915
Disposals withdrawn in year
(18,927)
(191,072)
(191,072)
(401,071)
(150,000)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
29,059
29,059
237,422
**7**
**Bank and cash balances**
**7.1**
**Bank and cash at 31st March 2025**
Co-operative Church A/c
49,864
32,114
(19,345)
62,633
150,092
Nationwide Instant Saver A/c
10,295
5,290
15,585
15,256
HSBC Grove Centre A/c
6,589
6,589
2,505
Cash Grove Centre A/c
194
194
41
Cash Friendship Monday Group
444
444
352
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
**7.2**
**Movements on bank and cash inyear**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
42,157
118,348
7,741
168,246
98,308
Movement in year
31,840
(87,884)
(27,086)
(83,130)
69,082
Addition of interest in year
218
111
329
856
Transfers between funds
(14,056)
14,056
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
**8**
**Creditors**
**8.1**
**Creditors at 31st March 2025 (falling due within 12 months)**
Hall hire deposits held
2,240
2,240
1,021
Utilities accrued costs
2,960
2,960
2,465
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
5,200
5,200
3,486
**8.2**
**Movements on creditors in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
3,486
3,486
4,171
Movement in year
1,714
1,714
(685)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
5,200
5,200
3,486|£
£
£
£
£
£
**6.2**
**Movements on investments (short term) in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
46,742
190,680
237,422
377,507
Additional deposits in year
191,072
191,072
Addition of interest in year
1,244
392
1,636
9,915
Disposals withdrawn in year
(18,927)
(191,072)
(191,072)
(401,071)
(150,000)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
29,059
29,059
237,422
**7**
**Bank and cash balances**
**7.1**
**Bank and cash at 31st March 2025**
Co-operative Church A/c
49,864
32,114
(19,345)
62,633
150,092
Nationwide Instant Saver A/c
10,295
5,290
15,585
15,256
HSBC Grove Centre A/c
6,589
6,589
2,505
Cash Grove Centre A/c
194
194
41
Cash Friendship Monday Group
444
444
352
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
**7.2**
**Movements on bank and cash inyear**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
42,157
118,348
7,741
168,246
98,308
Movement in year
31,840
(87,884)
(27,086)
(83,130)
69,082
Addition of interest in year
218
111
329
856
Transfers between funds
(14,056)
14,056
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
**8**
**Creditors**
**8.1**
**Creditors at 31st March 2025 (falling due within 12 months)**
Hall hire deposits held
2,240
2,240
1,021
Utilities accrued costs
2,960
2,960
2,465
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
5,200
5,200
3,486
**8.2**
**Movements on creditors in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
3,486
3,486
4,171
Movement in year
1,714
1,714
(685)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
5,200
5,200
3,486|£
£
£
£
£
£
**6.2**
**Movements on investments (short term) in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
46,742
190,680
237,422
377,507
Additional deposits in year
191,072
191,072
Addition of interest in year
1,244
392
1,636
9,915
Disposals withdrawn in year
(18,927)
(191,072)
(191,072)
(401,071)
(150,000)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
29,059
29,059
237,422
**7**
**Bank and cash balances**
**7.1**
**Bank and cash at 31st March 2025**
Co-operative Church A/c
49,864
32,114
(19,345)
62,633
150,092
Nationwide Instant Saver A/c
10,295
5,290
15,585
15,256
HSBC Grove Centre A/c
6,589
6,589
2,505
Cash Grove Centre A/c
194
194
41
Cash Friendship Monday Group
444
444
352
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
**7.2**
**Movements on bank and cash inyear**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
42,157
118,348
7,741
168,246
98,308
Movement in year
31,840
(87,884)
(27,086)
(83,130)
69,082
Addition of interest in year
218
111
329
856
Transfers between funds
(14,056)
14,056
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
60,159
44,631
(19,345)
85,445
168,246
**8**
**Creditors**
**8.1**
**Creditors at 31st March 2025 (falling due within 12 months)**
Hall hire deposits held
2,240
2,240
1,021
Utilities accrued costs
2,960
2,960
2,465
Balance at 31stMarch 2025
5,200
5,200
3,486
**8.2**
**Movements on creditors in year**
Brought forward 1stApril 2024
3,486
3,486
4,171
Movement in year
1,714
1,714
(685)
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
5,200
5,200
3,486|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||29,059|||29,059
237,422|
|||||62,633
150,092
15,585
15,256
6,589
2,505
194
41
444
352|
||60,159
44,631
(19,345)|||85,445
168,246|
|||||168,246
98,308
(83,130)
69,082
329
856|
||42,157
118,348
7,741||||
||31,840
(87,884)
(27,086)
218
111
(14,056)
14,056||||
||60,159
44,631
(19,345)|||85,445
168,246|
|||||2,240
1,021
2,960
2,465|
|||5,200||5,200
3,486|
|||||3,486
4,171
1,714
(685)|
|||3,486|||
|||1,714|||
|||5,200||5,200
3,486|
## 9. Endowment Funds
30B **9.1 Movement in Endowment Funds during year**
||1stApril 2024|Income|Expenses|Gains and|Transfers|31stMarch|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||Losses||2025|
||£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Grove Centre and Youth Hall|1,146,499||6,060|68,493|3,300|1,212,232|
|Grove Centre House|911,273||2,448|(137,152)|423,213|1,194,886|
|Baptist Manse|628,127|392||26,247|(191,072)|463,694|
|Movement in funds for year to|2,685,899|392|(8,508)|(42,412)|235,441|2,870,812|
|31stMarch 2025|||||||
## 31B **9.2 Assets in Endowment Funds**
|Grove Centre and Youth Hall
Grove Centre House
Baptist Manse
C/forward 31stMarch 2025
Revaluation reserve
Book value before revaluation|Tangible
Investments
Fixed Assets
1,212,232
1,194,886
463,694|Net Current Assets
31stMarch
Gift Aid /
Receivable
Investments
(short term)
Bank / cash
2025
1,212,232
1,194,886
463,694|
|---|---|---|
||2,870,812|2,870,812|
||(1,006,782)|(1,006,782)|
||1,864,030|1,864,030|
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## 32B **9.3 Transfers into and out of Endowment Funds in year**
|Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
Grove Centre (Designated)
3,300
3,300 YH doors to fixed asset.
31/03/25
Building Fund (Restricted)
191,072
(191,072) BU TS106 capital contrib.
1/05/24
Building Fund (Restricted)
304,981
304,981 Building Phase 1 wip
31/03/25
Building Fund (Designated)
118,232
118,232 BuildingPhase 1 wip
31/03/25
Total transfers in / out
426,513
(191,072)
235,441
**Movement in Endowment Funds (prior year)**
1stApril 2023
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
Transfers
31stMarch
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
Grove Centre Church and
Youth Hall, Jews Walk
1,022,080
5,730
130,149
1,146,499
Grove Centre House,
2 Jews Walk
814,971
7,778
(177,686)
281,766
911,273
Baptist Manse
576,275
5,141
159
46,870
628,127
Movement in funds for year to
31stMarch 2024
2,413,326
5,141
(13,667)
(667)
281,766
2,685,899|Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
3,300
3,300 YH doors to fixed asset.
31/03/25
191,072
(191,072) BU TS106 capital contrib.
1/05/24
304,981
304,981 Building Phase 1 wip
31/03/25
118,232
118,232 BuildingPhase 1 wip
31/03/25|Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
3,300
3,300 YH doors to fixed asset.
31/03/25
191,072
(191,072) BU TS106 capital contrib.
1/05/24
304,981
304,981 Building Phase 1 wip
31/03/25
118,232
118,232 BuildingPhase 1 wip
31/03/25|
|---|---|---|
||426,513
(191,072)
235,441||
||2,413,326
5,141
(13,667)
(667)
281,766
2,685,899||
## 30B **9.4 Movement in Endowment Funds (prior year)**
## 33B **9.5 Grove Centre Church and Youth Hall, Jews Walk**
The land and buildings of The Grove Centre Church and Youth Hall in Jews Walk are held in Trust by the London Congregational Union Incorporated (administered by the United Reformed Church (Southern Province) Trust Limited) and are subject to a Sharing Agreement with the Baptist Union Corporation Limited originally from 21[st] January 1972 and replaced by the new Sharing Agreement dated 16[th] December 2022.
## 34B **9.6 Grove Centre House, 2 Jews Walk**
The land and buildings of The Grove Centre Church House, 2 Jews Walk are held in Trust by the London Congregational Union Incorporated (administered by the United Reformed Church (Southern Province) Trust Limited) and is subject to a Sharing Agreement with the Baptist Union Corporation Limited from 21[st] January 1972 and replaced by the new Sharing Agreement dated 16[th] December 2022.
The Building Fund Phase 1 asset under construction was transferred into the fund at 31/3/24 but written down to £1. The Building Fund Phase 2 asset under construction was transferred into the fund at 31/3/25 but written down to £230,000. When the building project is completed in 2025 the asset will be re-valued based on the finished work.
## 35B **9.7 Baptist Manse**
The land and buildings of the Baptist Manse, 41 Beaulieu Avenue, purchased on 1[st] August 2013, are held in Trust by the Baptist Union Corporation Limited and are subject to a Sharing Agreement with the London Congregational Union Incorporated (administered by the United Reformed Church Southern Synod) from 19[th] December 1972 and replaced by the new Sharing Agreement dated 16[th] December 2022.
The previous manse at 17 Gaynesford Road was sold in 2013. The net proceeds were held in BUC Trust Fund TS106, until these were transferred into the Building Fund on 1/5/2024 as a capital contribution agreed with the URC and BUC.
## 10. Restricted Funds
## 36B **10.1 Movement in Restricted Funds during year**
||1stApril|2024|Income|Expenses|Gains and|Transfers|31stMarch|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||Losses||2025|
||£||£|£|£|£|£|
|Church & Centre Appeals|||1,046|1,046||||
|Organ Fund (Restricted)||9,611|
1,784|1,135|||10,260|
|Education Fund (Restricted)||||||||
|Building Project (Restricted)|||113,909|||(113,909)||
|Borough of Culture (Restricted)||||||||
|Special Collection (Restricted)|||5,503|5,253|||250|
|Movement in funds for year to||9,611|
122,242|(7,434)||(113,909)|10,510|
|31stMarch 2025||||||||
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## 37B **10.2 Assets in Restricted Funds**
|**Assets in Restricted Funds**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Tangible|Creditors|Net|Current Assets||31stMarch|
||Fixed Assets|Due within 12|Prepaid/GA|Investments|Bank / cash|2025|
|||months|Receivable|(short term)|||
||£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Church & Centre Appeals|||32||(32)||
|Organ Fund (Restricted)|10,260||95||(95)|10,260|
|Education Fund (Restricted)|||||||
|Building Project (Restricted)|||19,218||(19,218)||
|Borough of Culture (Restricted)|||||||
|Special Collection (Restricted)|||250|||250|
|Carried forward 31stMar 2025|10,260||19,595||(19,345)|10,510|
## 36B **10.3 Movement in Restricted Funds (prior year)**
|**Movement in Restricted Funds (prior year)**|**Movement in Restricted Funds (prior year)**|**r)**|**r)**|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|1stApril 2023
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
£
Church & Centre Appeals
1,633
1,633
Organ Fund (Restricted)
495
9,116
Education Fund (Restricted)
750
750
Building Project (Restricted)
141,305
Borough of Culture (Restricted)
212
212
Movement in funds for year to
31stMarch 2024
1,457
152,054
(2,595)||
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£||Transfers
£|31stMarch
2024
£|
|||1,633
1,633||||
||||||9,611|
|||141,305||(141,305)||
||||212|||
||1,457
152,054
(2,595)|||(141,305)
9,611||
## 38B **10.4 Church & Centre Appeals**
The Appeals Fund is used to ring-fence donations made in response to specific charitable appeals and grants.
|Christian Aid Week
BMS Harvest Bangladesh
LewCAS Christmas offering
Foodbank offering
Total for Church Appeals|Offerings
collected
Gift Aid tax
recovery
Total Year
2025
Description
Prior Year
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
381
381
Christian Aid Week
The Leprosy Mission
601
401
384
384
BMS Harvest Uganda
239
229
20
32
261
20
LewCAS Christmas offering
Foodbank offering
357
35|
|---|---|
||1,014
32
1,046
1,633|
Gift aid tax recovery is only made on cash offerings and payments made to The Grove Centre Church. Gift aided offerings made out to named charities are passed on for their own tax recovery in due course.
|Notes|
1stApril|2024|Income|Expenses|Transfers|31stMarch|Prior Year|Prior Year|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||2025|2024||
||£||£|£|£|£|£||
|39B**10.5**|**Organ Fund (Restricted)**||||||||
||The Organ Fund was created by the legacy of Olive Carter and has been added to by the|||||Church in prior years.||The|
||trustees used this fund to collect donations and then purchase a new Kawai piano for the Main Hall in April||||||2024.||
||Donations to fund||1,539|||1,539|
7,285||
||Income tax recovery||245|||245|
1,819||
||Interest on investments|||||||12|
||Depreciation of Kawai piano|||1,135||1,135|||
||Total for Organ Fund (Rest)|9,611|1,784|(1,135)||10,260|
9,611||
## 40B **10.6 Education Fund (Restricted)**
The Education Fund is used to provide bursaries to students supported by Restricted gifts to the Grove Centre Church. Grants to support students 750 Total for Education Fund (Rest)
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|Notes|
1stApril 2024
Income|
1stApril 2024
Income|Expenses|Transfers|31stMarch|Prior Year|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||2025|2024|
||£|£|£|£|£|£|
|41B**10.7**|**Building Project (Restricted)**||||||
||The Building Project fund was created in 2012 to manage funds||raised and|expended on planning and surveys for the|||
||redevelopment of the Grove Centre House and passage between||the House|and the Main Hall.|||
||Transfers in from other funds|||191,072|191,072|140,461|
||Grant – URC Southern Synod|73,109|||73,109|112,430|
||Grant – Garfield Weston Fdn.|30,000|||30,000||
||Grant – Benefact Trust|||||23,000|
||Grant – Hobson Charity|10,000|||10,000||
||Grant – M&G Trust|800|||800|3,000|
||Grant – Squire Patton Trust|||||250|
||Grant – City Bridge Foundation|||||2,625|
||Total incoming resources|113,909||191,072|304,981|281,766|
||Insurance for building works|||||1,895|
||Main building contract|||280,975|280,975|234,035|
||H.Goodsell & Son Ltd.||||||
||Drain survey & repairs|||10,608|10,608||
||Kitchen & misc other costs|||6,743|6,743||
||Architect & other professional|||6,655|6,655|45,836|
||advice & fees||||||
||Total resources expended|||304,981|304,981|281,766|
||Movement in fund for year to 31st|113,909||(113,909)|||
||March 2025||||||
## **10.7a Transfers into and out of Building Fund (Restricted) in year**
|BU TS106 Manse
(Endowment)
BU/URC Trusts (Endowment)
Total transfers in / out
Notes|Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
£
£
£
191,072
191,072 Baptist capital contribution
01/05/24
304,981
(304,981)BuildingPhase 1 wip
31/03/25|
|---|---|
||191,072
(304,981)
(113,909)|
||1stApril 2024
Income
Expenses
Transfers
31stMarch
2025
Prior Year
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£|
## 41B **10.8 Borough of Culture (Restricted)**
The Borough of Culture fund was created in 2022 to manage a grant awarded by London Borough of Lewisham for a project with Sydenham School to replace artwork displayed on the exterior of the Youth Hall building.
Art materials & sundries 212 Movement in fund for year to 31[st] March 2025
## 39B **10.9 Special Collections (Restricted)**
The Special Collections Fund was used to collect payments for a church group attending Spring Harvest in April 2025.
|Donations to fund
Income tax recovery
Group contributions to SH25
Total incoming resources
Cost for SH25 bookings
Total resources expended
Total for Special Fund (Rest)|1,000
1,000
250
250
4,253
4,253|
|---|---|
||5,503
5,503
5,253
5,253|
||5,253
5,253|
||5,503
(5,253)
250|
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## 11. Designated Funds
## 42B **11.1 Movement in Designated Funds during year**
||1stApril|2024|Income|Expenses|Gains and|Transfers|31stMarch|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||Losses||2025|
||£||£|£|£|£|£|
|Building Project (Designated)|163,128||
20,918|
1,278||(118,232)|64,536|
|Grove Centre Management||(256)|78,422|
85,814||10,956|3,308|
|Friendship Group (Monday)||352|
1,055|
763||(200)|444|
|Organ Fund (Designated)||||||||
|Youth Project||5,419|
171|
87|||5,503|
|Movement in funds for year to|168,643||
100,566|
(87,942)||(107,476)|73,791|
|31stMarch 2025||||||||
||Tangible||Creditors|Net|Current Assets||31stMarch|
||Fixed Assets||Due within 12|Rent/Gift Aid|Investments|Bank / cash|2025|
||||months|Receivable|(short term)|||
||£||£|£|£|£|£|
|**Assets in Designated Funds**||||||||
|Building Project (Designated)||||3,576|29,059|31,901|64,536|
|Grove Centre Management|||(5,200)|
1,725||6,783|3,308|
|Fellowship Group (Monday)||||||444|444|
|Organ Fund (Designated)||||||||
|Youth Project||||||5,503|5,503|
|C/forward 31stMarch 2025|||(5,200)|5,301|29,059|44,631|73,791|
## 43B **11.2 Assets in Designated Funds**
## 42B **11.3 Movement in Designated Funds (prior year)**
|**Movement in Designated Funds (prior year)**|**nds (prior year)**|**nds (prior year)**|**nds (prior year)**|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|1stApril 2023
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
Transfers
31stMarch
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
Building Project (Designated)
202,263
52,370
1,700
(89,805)
163,128
Grove Centre Management
(719)
75,503
87,340
12,300
(256)
Friendship Group (Monday)
399
917
859
(105)
352
Organ Fund (Designated)
635
16
(651)
-
Youth Project
15,137
282
(10,000)
5,419
Movement in funds for year to
31stMarch 2024
217,715
129,088
(89,899)
(88,261)
168,643
**Building Project (Designated)**
1stApril 2024
Income
Expenses
Transfers
31stMarch
2025
Prior Year
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
The Building Project fund was created in 2012 to manage funds raised and expended on planning and surveys for the
possible redevelopment of the Grove Centre House and passage between the House and the Main Hall.
Donations to Building fund
14,405
14,405
76,256
Building fund raising events
1,692
1,692
2,641
Legacies received
13,000
Income tax recovery
3,577
3,577
6,355
Interest received
1,244
1,244
4,774
Total incoming resources
20,918
20,918
103,026
Preparatory & minor works
343
Architects & professional fees
1,213
1,213
Legal fees & bank charges
65
65
1,357
Total resources expended
1,278
1,278
1,700
Major Works (Building Project)
118,232
118,232
140,461
Total resources expended
1,278
118,232
119,510
142,161
Movement in fund for year to 31st
March 2025
163,128
20,918
(1,278)
(118,232)
64,536
163,128|1stApril 2023
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
£|||Transfers
31stMarch
2024
£
£||
||202,263
52,370
1,700|||(89,805)
163,128||
||(719)
75,503
87,340
399
917
859
635
16
15,137
282|
75,503
87,340||12,300
(256)||
|||||(105)
352||
|||||(651)|-|
|||||(10,000)|5,419|
||217,715
129,088
(89,899)|||(88,261)
168,643||
||20,918
20,918
103,026
343
1,213
1,213
65
65
1,357|||||
||1,278
1,278
1,700
118,232
118,232
140,461|||||
||1,278
118,232
119,510
142,161|||||
||163,128
20,918
(1,278)
(118,232)
64,536
163,128|||||
## 44B **11.4 Building Project (Designated)**
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## **11.4a Transfers into and out of Building Fund (Designated) in year**
|BU/URC Trusts (Endowment)
Total transfers in / out|Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
£
£
£
118,232
(118,232)BuildingPhase 1 wip
31/03/25|
|---|---|
||(118,232)
(118,232)|
||1stApril 2024
Income
Expenses
Transfers
31stMarch
2025
Prior Year
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£|
## ;45B **11.5 Grove Centre Management**
The Grove Centre Management Fund is used to maintain the premises at Jews Walk and to run the community activities of The Grove Centre. It is administered by The Grove Centre Management Committee.
## **11.5.1 Grove Centre Income**
|Donations and legacies
Sundry donations
Grove Centre Church
Grant – London Borough of
Lewisham)
Charitable activities
Lunches service
Cherish nursery
Grove Centre user groups
Grove Centre lettings
Other trading activities
Office services
Total incoming resources
**11.5.2 Grove Centre Expenditure**
**11.5.2a Staff Costs**
Centre staff salaries
Employer pension contribution
**11.5.2b Food Costs**
Lunches service food
**11.5.2c Equipment Costs**
Equipment purchases
Equipment maintenance
Equipment leasing
**11.5.2d Premises Costs**
Minor works / maintenance
Centre Electricity
Centre Gas
Waste Collection
Water and Sewerage
Cleaning materials/services
Insurance|35
35
14,256
14,256
12,300
10,000
10,000
10,000|
|---|---|
||10,035
14,256
24,291
22,300
6,155
6,155
6,935
28,661
28,661
28,310
16,164
16,164
16,218
17,347
17,347
14,027|
||68,327
68,327
65,490
60
60
13|
||60
60
13|
||78,422
14,256
92,678
87,803
38,847
38,847
41,359
991
991
1,253|
||39,838
39,838
42,612
5,932
5,932
6,806|
||5,932
5,932
6,806
1,826
1,826
3,609
3,609
702
1,399
1,399
1,399|
||6,834
6,834
2,101
4,364
4,364
4,829
7,652
7,652
6,594
5,312
5,312
9,956
2,539
2,539
1,051
1,806
1,806
1,923
4,959
4,959
2,332
2,403
2,403
2,275|
||29,035
29,035
28,960|
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|**e Other Costs**
Licences
Centre sundries & postage
Recruitment, training &
volunteer expenses
Stationery & print / copies
Telephone / Internet
Bank charges
Total resources exc Major Works
Major Work (YH doors)
Total resources expended
Movement in fund for year to 31st
March 2025|1stApril 2024
Income
Expenses
Transfers
31stMarch
2025
Prior Year
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
104
104
551
720
720
751
50
50
250
585
585
1,073
2,626
2,626
4,114
90
90
122|
|---|---|
||4,175
4,175
6,861|
||
85,814
85,814
87,340
3,300
3,300|
||85,814
3,300
89,114
87,340|
||(256)
78,422
(85,814)
10,956
3,308
(256)|
## **11.5.2e Other Costs**
## **11.5.3 Transfers into and out of Grove Centre Fund in year**
||Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
£
£|Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
£
£|
Net Transfers
Description
£|
Net Transfers
Description
£|Date of
Transfer|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|General Fund (Unrestricted)|7,200||7,200
Church contribution to||Monthly to|
||||Grove Centre costs||31/03/25|
|General Fund (Unrestricted)|7,056||7,056
YH doors and cash flow||14/02/25|
|||||to Grove Centre||
|Endowment – GC asset||(3,300)|(3,300)|YH doors to fixed asset|31/03/25|
|Total transfers in / out|14,256
(3,300)
10,956|||||
|1stApril 2024
Income
Expenses
Transfers
31stMarch
2025
Prior Year
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**Friendship Group (Monday)**
The Friendship Group meets each Monday afternoon, providing general charitable and social activities funded by weekly
offerings. It is administered by Mrs A. Sydee.
Weekly offerings
1,055
1,055
917
Total incoming resources
1,055
1,055
917
Sundries & refreshments
263
263
269
Donation to Building Fund
5
Donation to GC Church
200
200
100
Other donations (Leukaemia
UK, Mercy Ships, St. Mungo’s,
Leprosy Mission, Action for
Children)
500
500
590
Total resources expended
763
200
963
964
Movement to 31stMarch 2025
352
1,055
(763)
(200)
444
352||||||
||1,055
1,055
917
263
263
269
5
200
200
100
500
500
590|||||
||763
200
963
964|||||
||352
1,055
(763)
(200)
444
352|||||
## 47B **11.6 Friendship Group (Monday)**
## 48B **11.7 Organ Fund (Designated)**
The Organ Fund (Designated) is money originally set aside by the church for the replacement of the organ. The final balance was transferred into the Building Fund (Designated) at 31 March 2024.
Investment income 16 Total incoming resources 16 Transfer to Building Fund (Des.) 651 Movement to 31[st] March 2025
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|1stApril|2024|Income|Expenses|Transfers|31stMarch|Prior Year|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||2025|2024|
|£||£|£|£|£|£|
## 51B **11.8 Youth Project**
The Youth Project Fund is used to support activities for children and young people, funded in part by contributions towards events. It is administered with other church funds, but was not used during the year. £10,000 was transferred into the Building Fund (Designated) at 31 March 2025.
|Donations to Youth Fund
Interest on investments
Total incoming resources
Youth activities
Transfer to Building Fund (Des.)
Total resources expended
Movement to 31stMarch 2025|60
60
60
111
111
222|
|---|---|
||171
171
282
87
87
10,000|
||87
87
282|
||5,419
171
(87)
5,503
5,419|
## 12. Unrestricted Funds
## 52B **12.1 Movement in Unrestricted Funds during year**
|Church General Fund
Movement in funds for year to
31stMarch 2025|1stApril 2024
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
£|1stApril 2024
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
£|1stApril 2024
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
£|1stApril 2024
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
£|Transfers
31stMarch
2025
£
£|Transfers
31stMarch
2025
£
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||56,470
72,596
41,392||||(14,056)
73,618||
||56,470
72,596
(41,392)||||(14,056)
73,618||
||||||||
## 53B **12.2 Assets in Unrestricted Funds**
|Church General Fund
C/forward 31stMarch 2025|Tangible
Creditors
Net Current Assets
31stMarch
Fixed Assets Due within 12
months
Gift Aid
Receivable
Investments
(short term)
Bank / cash
2025|Tangible
Creditors
Net Current Assets
31stMarch
Fixed Assets Due within 12
months
Gift Aid
Receivable
Investments
(short term)
Bank / cash
2025|Tangible
Creditors
Net Current Assets
31stMarch
Fixed Assets Due within 12
months
Gift Aid
Receivable
Investments
(short term)
Bank / cash
2025|
|---|---|---|---|
||987|12,472|60,159
73,618|
||987|12,472|60,159
73,618|
## 52B **12.3 Movement in Unrestricted Funds (prior year)**
|1stApril 2023
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
Transfers
31stMarch
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
Church General Fund
92,543
68,626
52,499
(52,200)
56,470
Movement in funds for year to
31stMarch 2024
92,543
68,626
(52,499)
(52,200)
56,470
1stApril 2024
Income
Expenses
Transfers
31stMarch
2025
Prior Year
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
**Church General Fund**
The Church General Fund is used to run the general charitable activities of The Grove Centre Church.
**Church Income**
Standing order giving
47,535
47,535
41,847
Envelope scheme
6,662
6,662
5,848
Church collections
1,825
1,825
1,272
Sundry Donations
391
200
591
2,235
Tax refunds under Gift Aid
13,065
13,065
12,918
Grants – URC Southern Synod
2,000
2,000
4,000
Investment income
218
218
606
Other – manse insurance claim
900
900
Total incoming resources
72,596
200
72,796
68,726|1stApril 2023
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
£
92,543
68,626
52,499|
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£|
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£|
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£|Transfers
£|31stMarch
2024
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||(52,200)|56,470|
||92,543
68,626
(52,499)||||(52,200)
56,470||
||||||||
|||47,535|||||
|||6,662|||||
|||1,825|||||
|||391||200|||
|||13,065|||||
|||2,000|||||
|||218|||||
|||900|||||
|||72,596||200|
72,796
68,726||
## 54B **12.4 Church General Fund**
## **12.4.1 Church Income**
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|**12.4.2 Church Expenditure**
**12.4.2a Ministry Expenses**
Stipend
Employers pension contrib.
Ministry expenses
Training and events
Travel costs
Visiting preachers
**12.4.2b Manse Expenses**
Manse works & maintenance
Manse council and water
Manse telephone / utilities
Manse building insurance
**12.4.2c Church Activities**
Worship expenses
Junior church
Licences
Church sundries & printing
50thAnniversary celebration
Equipment and maintenance
Minor works – new carpet
Depreciation of assets
**12.4.2d Church Grants payable**
URC Ministry & Mission
Baptist Ministry & Mission
Baptist Northern College
Other grants and donations
Church contributions to Centre
Transfer to Building Fund
Total resources expended
Movement in fund for year to 31st
March 2025|1stApril 2024
£|
Income
£|Expenses
Transfers
£
£|Expenses
Transfers
£
£|31stMarch
2025
Prior Year
2024
£
£
16,246
30,840
2,018
3,821
46
229
186
819
59
315
1,225
300|31stMarch
2025
Prior Year
2024
£
£
16,246
30,840
2,018
3,821
46
229
186
819
59
315
1,225
300|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||16,246||||
||||2,018||||
||||46||||
||||186||||
||||59||||
||||1,225||||
||||19,780||19,780
36,324
4,955
799
2,523
3,107
1,311
897
1,199
909||
||||||||
||||4,955||||
||||2,523||||
||||1,311||||
||||1,199||||
||||9,989||9,989
5,712
42
7
166
13
609
587
1,432
961
1,657
1,035
834
1,484
728
728||
||||||||
||||42||||
||||166||||
||||609||||
||||1,432||||
||||1,657||||
||||1,035||||
||||||||
||||728||||
||||5,669||5,669
4,614
2,852
2,609
2,832
2,810
150
150
120
280||
||||||||
||||2,852||||
||||2,832||||
||||150||||
||||120||||
||||5,954||5,954
5,849
14,256
12,300
40,000||
|||||14,256|||
||||||||
||||41,392
14,256||
55,648
104,799||
||||||||
||56,470
72,596
(41,392)
(14,056)||||
73,618
56,470||
||||||||
## 55B **12.5 Transfers into and out of General Fund in year**
||Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
£
£
£|Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
£
£
£|Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
£
£
£|Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
£
£
£|Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
£
£
£|Date of
Transfer
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Grove Centre (Designated)||7,200
(7,200)
Church contribution to||||Monthly to|
|||||Grove Centre costs||31/03/25|
|Grove Centre (Designated)||7,056
(7,056)
YH doors and cash flow||||14/02/25|
||||to Grove Centre||||
|FriendshipGroup (Monday)|200||200
Donation to Church|||02/12/24|
|Total transfers in / out|200
14,256
(14,056)||||||
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## 13. Disclosure of trustee and staff remuneration, related party and other transactions
|and other transactions|||
|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment|31stMarch|31stMarch|
||2025|2024|
|£
£
£
£|£|£|
|Stipend & Salaries
16,246
38,847|55,093|72,199|
|Employer’s national insurance|||
|Employer’s pension contribution
2,018
991|3,009|5,074|
|Manse costs (to 30thSep 2024)
2,732|2,732|5,712|
|Total
20,996
39,838|60,834|82,985|
|Average number of employees during year|3 (2.5 FTE)|5 (3.3 FTE)|
|No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year (2024 none)|||
|The Minister acted as one of the church trustees in accordance with the charity constitution and received remuneration of|||
|£18,264 and other benefits in respect of services provided as Minister, including the provision|of manse accommodation||
|owned by the church. The Minister resigned to take up a call to a new pastorate with effect from 1stOctober||2024.|
|Total aggregate remuneration paid to key management personnel (Minister) during the year:|18,264|34,661|
|Aggregate donations received from Trustees during year:|51,880|78,816|
|No sums were reimbursed to the Trustees for their work as Trustees (2024 none).|||
|No sums were reimbursed to Saleemi Associates for their work as independent examiners (2024 none).|||
The Church pays pension contributions for its Minister to the defined contribution section of the Baptist Pension Scheme. For service up to 2012, the Scheme provided benefits on a defined benefit basis. The scheme is a multi-employer scheme, and it is not possible to identify the assets and liabilities of the defined benefit section which are attributable to the church. Therefore, in accordance with FRS102 Section 28, the scheme is accounted for as a defined contribution scheme.
## 14. Related Charities
It is a policy of the church to make an equal contribution to the official schemes of the URC and the Baptist denominations in recognition of the shared heritage of The Grove Centre Church.
## 56B **14.1 United Reformed Church**
A custodian Trustee of the church is the United Reformed Church (Southern Province) Trust Limited which is charity number 282270.
The church made donations from General Funds to the URC Ministry & Mission Fund as set out under Grants payable.
## 57B **14.2 Baptist Union Corporation**
A custodian Trustee of the church is the Baptist Union Corporation Limited which is charity number 249635, and which is controlled by the Baptist Union Council. The church is also a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and of the London Baptist Association.
The church made donations from General Funds to Baptist Ministry & Missions as set out under Grants payable.
## 15. Pensions
## 58B **15.1 Baptist Pension Scheme**
The Church is a participating employer the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), which is a separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.
The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers’ Pension Fund, started in 1925, but was closed to future accrual of defined benefits on 31 December 2011. Prior to this date the main benefit provided through the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan was a pension of one eightieth of final minimum pensionable income for each year of pensionable service together with additional pension in respect of premiums paid on Pensionable Income in excess of Minimum Pensionable Income.
From January 2012, pension provision is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan within the Scheme. In general, members pay 8% of their Pensionable Income and employers pay 6% of members’ Pensionable Income into individual pension accounts, which are operated and managed on behalf of the Pension Trustee by Broadstone Corporate Benefits Ltd. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members if they are unable to work due to long-term incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva Limited.
The Scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. Because it is not possible to attribute the Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers, the scheme is accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The Minister is eligible to join the Scheme.
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## 59B **15.2 Actuarial valuation as at 31 December 2019**
A formal valuation of the DB Plan as at 31 December 2019 was carried out by a professionally qualified Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. At the valuation date the market value of the DB Plan assets was £298 million, whilst the level of assets needed to pay benefits was £316m, giving a deficit of £18m (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). The Church and the other participating employers in the DB Plan were collectively responsible for funding this deficit.
The key assumptions underlying the valuation were as follows:
|, giving a deficit of £18m (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). The
an were collectively responsible for funding this deficit.
umptions underlying the valuation were as follows:|Church an|
|---|---|
|**Type of financial assumption**|**% p.a.**|
|RPI price inflation assumption|3.20|
|CPI price inflation assumption|2.70|
|Minimum Pensionable Income Increase Adjustment (above CPI)|0.50|
|Pre-retirement assumed investment returns (gilt yield plus 1.75% pa)|2.95|
|Post retirement assumed investment returns (including benefits matched by|1.70|
|the insurance policy) (gilt yield plus 0.5% pa)||
|Minimum Pensionable Income increases (CPI plus 0.5%)|3.20|
|Deferred pension increases (based on RPI)||
|- Pre April 2009|3.20|
|- Post April 2009|2.50|
|Pension increases||
|- Based on CPI with an annual floor of 0% and annual cap of 5%|2.70|
Mortality was assumed in accordance with 80% of the S3NA standard mortality table. Future improvements projected from 2013 in line with the “CMI 2019” projection with a long-term rate of improvement of 1.75% p.a. for males and 1.5% p.a. for females with the core smoothing parameter and with additional initial mortality improvement factor A=0.5%.
The next actuarial valuation of the DB Plan within the Scheme was due to take place not later than as at 31 December 2022. However, the DB Plan is to be wound up, and the process to wind it up was started with effect from 31 March 2024 and therefore no formal valuation is due to take place.
## 60B **15.3 Recovery Plan**
In addition to the contributions to the DC Plan set out above, where a valuation of the DB Plan reveals a deficit the Trustee and the Council agree to a rate of deficiency contributions from churches and other employers involved in the DB Plan. Following the 2019 valuation a Recovery Plan was signed in September 2020 under which deficiency contributions were payable until June 2026.
On 30th June 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (“Just”) to secure DB Plan members’ pension benefits. Just are now providing financial backing for all pensions provided through the Scheme’s DB Plan and, following this transaction, the Scheme no longer has a shortfall. An updated Recovery plan was then signed in August 2022 under which recovery contributions from each participating employer in the DB Plan reduced to £1 per month from August 2022. These contributions ceased in November 2024, as the scheme was no longer in deficit. The outstanding deficiency contributions due under the Recovery Plan up to November 2024 are not considered material and therefore have not been included in the balance sheet.
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## Treasurer's Statement
I have prepared the financial statements on pages 28 to 45 for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
Mr Paul Treece, Church Treasurer 26[th] April 2025
## Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Grove Centre Church
## Year ended 31[st] March 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Grove Centre Church (Charity No. 1129070) for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 set out on pages 28 to 45.
## Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## Independent examiner's statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
3. the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mohammad Saleemi-FCA 792 Wickham Road Croydon Surrey CR0 8EA Tel: 0208 777 3055
Date :
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